Construction Material Survey

1 Methods and Procedures for Prospecting for Road Construction Materials
Roads Department
Methods and Procedures
for Prospecting for Road
Construction Materials
Roads Department
Methods and Procedures for Prospecting for Road Construction Materials
Ministry of Works, Transport & Communications,
Roads Department
Private Bag 0026
Gaborone, Botswana
Phone + 267 - 313511
Fax + 267 - 314278
DECEMBER 2000
ISBN 99912 - 0 - 358 - 3
Reproduction of extracts from this Guideline may be made subject to due acknowledgement of the source.
Although this Guideline is believed to be correct at the time of printing, Roads Department does not accept any
contractual, tortious or other form of liability for its contents or for any consequences arising from its use. Anyone
using the information contained in the Guideline should apply their own skill and judgement to the particular issue
under consideration.
Methods and Procedures for Prospecting for Road Construction Materials 3 Methods and Procedures for Prospecting for Road Construction Materials
Roads Department
ROADS DEPARTMENT
Under the policy direction of the Ministry of Works, Transport & Communications, Roads Department is
responsible for providing an adequate, safe, cost-effective and effcient road infrastructure within the borders of
Botswana as well as for facilitating cross-border road communications with neighbouring countries. Implied in
these far-ranging responsibilities is the obligation to:
1. ensure that existing roads are adequately maintained in order to provide appropriate level of service for road
users;
2. improve existing roads to required standards to enable them to carry prevailing levels of traffc with the
required degree of safety;
3. provide new roads to the required geometric, pavement design and safety standards.
The Department has been vested with the strategic responsibility for overall management of the Public Highway
Network (PHN) of some 18, 300 km of roads. This confers authority for setting of national specifcations and
standards and sheared responsibility with the District Councils and Department of Wildlife and National Parks for
the co-ordinated planning of the PHN.
Roads Department is also responsible for administering the relevant sections of the Public Roads Act, assisting
local road authorities on technical matters and providing assistance in the national effort to promote citizen
contractors in the road construction industry by giving technical advice wherever possible. This task is facilitated
by the publication of a series of Technical Guidelines dealing with standards, general procedures and best practice
on a variety of aspects of the planning, design, construction and maintenance of roads in Botswana that take full
account of local conditions.
Guideline No. 1 The Design, Construction and Maintenance of Otta Seals (1999)
Workshop Proceedings, September 2000, Addendum with reference to
Guideline No. 1 The Design, Construction and Maintenance of Otta Seals (1999)
Guideline No. 2 Pavement Testing, Analysis and Interpretation of Test Data (2000)
Guideline No. 3 Methods and Procedures for Prospecting for Road Construction Materials (2000)
Guideline No. 4 Axle Load Surveys (2000)
Roads Department
FOREWORD
Construction materials and related issues typically account for over 75% of road construction cost. The general
scarcity of conventional road building materials in Botswana has led to substantial research, over the past 25 years,
by Roads Department to identify, test and develop specifcations for the use of the available local materials. This
research work has been carried out in-house and in collaboration with the following organizations:
Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) funded by DFID,
Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA), funded by NORAD,
Center for Scientifc and Industrial Research (CSIR) funded by the Government of Botswana,
Dr. Frank Netterberg, funded by the Government of Botswana.
The materials prospecting techniques that are embodied in this guideline are the results of decades of work
and should provide an invaluable document for both engineers and technicians and trainers working in the road
construction industry in the country. Ultimately, it is myfervent hope that the Guideline will assist in insuring
that the best appropriate materials are identifed for each road project at economical haul distances. Thereby,
minimizing the construction costs and reducing materials related claims.
The Guideline is another in a series of documents intended to insure that signifcant technological developments
within the Roads Department over a number of decades are put on sound sustainable footing for future effcient
development and maintenance of our road network.
Gaborone
December 2000
Andrew Nkaro
Director of Roads
Roads Department
Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications
Roads Department
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This Guideline is one of a series that is being produced under the Institutional Co-operation Agreement that exists
between the Roads Department and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA). This Agreement falls
under a NORAD Technical Assistance Programme to Roads Department, which is co-funded by the Kingdom of
Norway and the Government of the Republic of Botswana.
The production of the Guideline has been a joint effort between the Roads Department, the NPRA, the Transport
Research Laboratory, TRL (UK), the CSIR (South Africa) and Civil and Planning Partnership, CPP (Botswana)
who was the consultant for the Working Group. The staff members involved were:
C. J. Lawrance TRL
D. Jones CSIR
P. Paige-Green CSIR
K. J. Motswagole CPP
The Working Group that guided the project and reviewed the Guideline, comprised of the following people:
Mr. C. Overby, NPRA
Dr. B. Obika, DFID
Mr. B. Kemsley, Roads Department
Mr. M. Kowa, Roads Department
Mr. E. Maswikiti, Roads Department
Mr. M Segokgo, Roads Department
Mr. M. Gaeemelwe, Roads Department
Mr. B.M Sharma, Roads Department
Mr. L. Von Straaten, ACE, commented the frst draft Guideline and his contribution is highly appreciated.
The following persons and their organisations are also acknowledged for their input during the interviews on past
experience and for their contribution in the workshop during the preparation of this guideline.
Mr P Monametsi Roads Department
Mrs A. Gabaake Roads Department
Mr N.Rakwela Roads Department
Mr P. Selema Roads Department
Mr S. Seloka Roads Department
Mr E. Phang Roads Department
Mr D. Chimtashu Civil and Planning and Partnership
Mr S. Mosepele Civil and Planning and Partnership
Mr M. Ntsimanyana Department of Geological Surveys
Mr A. Nanyaro Geotechnics International
Mr J. Tidi Geotechnics International
Mr M. Pule Geotechnics International
Mr B. McGee Grinaker-Whyle
Mr M. Green HAAS Consult
Mr G. Lebitsa Jwaneng Town Council
Mr. P. A. R. Oosthuizen Material Testing Services
Mr S. Jackson Material Testing Services
Dr F. Netterberg Frank Netterberg
Mr J. Sands Sands Civils
Mr D. Brown Sladden International
Mr L. van der Poll Stewart Scott International
Mr K. Spackman Stewart Scott International
Mr L. Makura Unitec
Mr I. Lekwape Botswana College of Agriculture
Mr W. Mojeremane Botswana College of Agriculture
Mr L. Malela Botswana College of Agriculture
Photographs were provided by:
C. J. Lawrance TRL
D. Jones CSIR
P. Paige-Green CSIR
K. J. Motswagole CPP
C. Overby NPRA
M. Segokgo Roads Dept.
M.T. Keganne Divi Consult
Roads Department
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Roads Department ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Foreward........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Aknowledgement .............................................................................................................................................. 5
1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................ 9
1.1 Background.............................................................................................................................................. 9
1.2 Purpose and scope.................................................................................................................................. 10
1.3 Structure of the guideline....................................................................................................................... 10
1.4 Summary of procedure........................................................................................................................... 11
2 ENVIRONMENTAL REGIONS OF BOTSWANA.................................................................................... 13
2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 13
2.2 Climate................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.3 Geomorphology ..................................................................................................................................... 14
2.4 Geology.................................................................................................................................................. 14
2.4.1.. Engineering classifcation of rock types...................................................................................... 15
2.5 Agricultural soils.................................................................................................................................... 16
2.6 Vegetation .............................................................................................................................................. 17
2.7 Prospecting regions................................................................................................................................ 17
3 GRAVELS IN BOTSWANA.......................................................................................................................... 20
3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 20
3.2 Residual gravels..................................................................................................................................... 20
3.2.1.. Acid crystalline rock gravels....................................................................................................... 20
3.2.2.. Basic crystalline rock gravels...................................................................................................... 21
3.2.3.. Arenaceous rock gravels ............................................................................................................. 21
3.2.4.. High silica gravels....................................................................................................................... 21
3.3 Pedogenic gravels .................................................................................................................................. 22
3.4 Transported materials............................................................................................................................. 23
4 GRAVEL INDICATORS............................................................................................................................... 25
4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 25
4.2 Landform................................................................................................................................................ 25
4.2.1.. Landforms of rock regions .......................................................................................................... 25
4.2.2.. Landforms of sand regions.......................................................................................................... 25
4.3 Botanical indicators ............................................................................................................................... 25
4.3.1.. Factors infuencing the use of botanical indicators ..................................................................... 29
4.4 Animal indicators................................................................................................................................... 30
5 INTERPRETATION OF MAPS AND PHOTOGRAPHS.......................................................................... 31
5.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 31
5.2 Topographic maps.................................................................................................................................. 31
5.3 Geological maps..................................................................................................................................... 31
5.4 Agricultural soil maps............................................................................................................................ 32
5.5 Remote sensing techniques.................................................................................................................... 32
5.5.1.. Aerial photographs and interpretation......................................................................................... 32
5.5.2.. Satellite images and interpretation .............................................................................................. 34
6 SURVEY METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................ 36
6.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 36
6.2 Desk study.............................................................................................................................................. 36
6.2.1.. Project briefng ............................................................................................................................ 36
6.2.2.. Interpretation of background information................................................................................... 37
6.2.3.. Collation of information.............................................................................................................. 37
Page
Roads Department
6.2.4.. Planning the feld survey............................................................................................................. 40
6.3 The feld survey...................................................................................................................................... 41
6.3.1.. Reconnaissance survey................................................................................................................ 41
6.3.2.. Detailed survey............................................................................................................................ 44
7 EVALUATION OF A GRAVEL SOURCE .................................................................................................. 45
7.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 45
7.2 Detailed feld study ................................................................................................................................ 45
7.3 Trial pit logging ..................................................................................................................................... 50
7.4 Sampling ................................................................................................................................................ 52
7.5 Estimating material quantity.................................................................................................................. 54
7.5.1.. Laboratory testing........................................................................................................................ 57
8 REPORTING.................................................................................................................................................. 58
8.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 58
8.2 Report structure...................................................................................................................................... 58
8.3 Materials inventory................................................................................................................................ 59
9 REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................... 60
10 ABREVIATIONS........................................................................................................................................... 61
11 APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 - OTHER RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS............................................................................ 63
APPENDIX 2 - WEATHERING AND WEATHERED MATERIALS ........................................................... 64
Weathering ...........................................................................................................................................................
Residual materials ................................................................................................................................................
Transported gravels ..............................................................................................................................................
Pedogenic gravels ................................................................................................................................................
Origin of weathering products .............................................................................................................................
APPENDIX 3 - BOTANICAL INDICATOR SPECIES.................................................................................. 67
APPENDIX 4 - VARIOUS LOGGING FORMS............................................................................................. 95
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 Prospecting regions of Botswana........................................................................................................... 19
Table 4.1 Landforms of rock regions, associated with gravel deposits ................................................................. 26
Table 4.2 Types of gravel associated with rock regions ........................................................................................ 27
Table 4.3 Landforms of sand regions, associated with gravel deposits................................................................. 28
Table 4.4 Gravel types associated with sand regions............................................................................................. 28
Table 4.5 Indicator plants for pedogenic gravels................................................................................................... 29
Table 6.1 Appropriate methods for feld survey .................................................................................................... 38
Table 6.2 Interpretation of calcrete probe results (modifed from Netterberg 1996)............................................. 41
Table 6.3 Differences between reconnaissance surveys and detailed surveys....................................................... 42
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1 Flow diagram stages, for material prospecting...................................................................................... 12
Figure 2.1 Annual mean rainfall in the country and N-values ................................................................................ 13
Figure 2.2 Simplifed geological map of Botswana ................................................................................................ 15
Figure 2.3 Prospecting regions of Botswana........................................................................................................... 18
Figure 3.1 Relationship between soaked CBR and proportions of Kalahari sand mixed in with calcrete............. 24
Figure 3.2 Typical grading envelope of Kalahari sand ........................................................................................... 24
Figure 3.3 Typical density curve of Kalahari sand.................................................................................................. 24
Figure 5.1 Landsat. extract. Sekoma Pan plus pixel extract in top right................................................................. 35
Figure 5.2 Aerial photo - Sekoma Pan and part of Sekoma - Kang road before it was bituminised. .................... 35
Figure 6.1 Flow chart summary of desk study activities leading to early assessment of gravel types expected to be found 39
Roads Department
Introduction
Figure 6.2 Flow chart-reconnaissance survey......................................................................................................... 43
Figure 6.3 Flow diagram for detailed investigations............................................................................................... 44
Figure 7.1 Ilustration of various sampling pattern .................................................................................................. 46
Figure 7.2 Typical layout of trial pits ...................................................................................................................... 47
Figure 7.3 Flow diagram, Evaluation of a gravel source ........................................................................................ 49
Figure 7.4 Example of trial pit logs......................................................................................................................... 51
Figure 7.5 Method of sampling from trial pit.......................................................................................................... 53
Figure 7.6 Correct method for reducing the size og sample ................................................................................... 53
Figure 7.7 Subdividing a borrow area in order to calculate gravel quantities......................................................... 54
Figure 7.8 Typical borrow pit location plan............................................................................................................ 56
Methods and Procedures for Prospecting for Road Construction Materials Methods and Procedures for Prospecting for Road Construction Materials
Chapter 1
Introduction
9
Roads Department
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
In order to maintain, construct, rehabilitate or upgrade any road network,
large quantities of gravel are required. This Guideline gives advice on the
methods and procedures that are appropriate in Botswana for the location
and proving of material sources for road construction. The Guideline
presents the knowledge of experienced, practising prospectors in the
country so that everyone can be aware of the best practice available. It has
been compiled by combining the technological approach of scientists with
the hard won experience of long-time prospectors.
There is no materials map, similar to a geological map, covering Botswana.
Gravels occur as relatively small localised deposits, scattered around the
landscape and usually buried. The art of prospecting involves looking for
clues to the occurrence of useful materials and then digging to see what
may be there. Learning to identify features that indicate the presence of
gravel from the interpretation of maps and other information is a central
activity in prospecting. However, the most important parts are the desk
study followed by the feld survey and pit evaluation, the latter being a
mechanical process that depends on the prospectors experience and the
quality and thoroughness of preparatory work.
Information about gravels in the landscape comes from three main sources.
This is analysed all together to assess the likelihood that gravel may occur
at a particular place:
n Geological information, coming from geological maps and reports.
n Soils information, coming from agricultural soils maps and reports.
n Landscape information, coming from topographic maps, aerial photo
graphs and satellite images.
The techniques given in the Guideline may be thought of as a tool kit,
each being available independently for a range of purposes. They are
presented within a framework of the procedure for materials studies, so
that the prospector can know when and how to use them. But it remains for
the prospector to decide which techniques are appropriate at any stage or in
any particular location.
Construction materials are a non-renewable resource and in view of the
increasing importance attached to protecting the natural environment, it
is important to make the best use of a source, once found. This implies
mapping it and describing it accurately so that it can be correctly classifed
and therefore correctly applied to a specifcation. Ideally, a record of
extraction should also be kept so that reserves can be utilised economically.
These comments are especially true of the Kalahari and Okavango regions,
where materials occur only in small amounts, are widely scattered and can
be diffcult to fnd.
The Guideline covers natural gravels that occur in the country and deals
with weathered, transported and pedogenic materials. Hard rocks are
excluded because the methods of fnding and extracting these sources
are in many respects different from those appropriate for weathered,
transported and pedogenic materials.
View from a light aircraft. Ancient water
channels and the pans coneasity be seen.
View from a light aircraft. Ancient water View from a light aircraft. Ancient water
The calcrete probe has been a very useful tool
for materials prospecting in the Kalahari region.
The calcrete probe has been a very useful tool The calcrete probe has been a very useful tool
Chapter 1
Introduction
10
Roads Department
Introduction
1.2 Purpose and scope
The Guideline is intended primarily for technicians responsible for carry-
ing out surveys to identify new sources of material. It contains information
on how to plan, organise and carry out surveys. It also summarises the
types of gravel that occur in various parts of the country and describes the
gravel indicators to look for during prospecting.
The Guideline is also intended for highway engineers and project manag-
ers who make design decisions based upon survey results. The Guideline
contains information on the interpretation of maps and the application of
remote sensing survey methods, not normally used locally because of the
need for specialised knowledge. There will be occasions when consultancy
services should be used in order to optimise these techniques. The advant-
ages of these methods and how to obtain appropriate assistance are
explained.
Textbooks and other standard documents that relate to the Guideline
are listed in the References. These works are all available as sources of
reference. Their most important procedural points are summarised in the
Guideline. Organisations that are able to offer other assistance, such as
sources of mapping and consultancy services, are listed in Appendix 1.
1.3 Structure of the guideline
The Guideline is arranged into three sections covering the background,
theory and the procedure by which this knowledge is put into practice, as
follows:
Natural gravels are defned in this Guideline as
rock products that have been partially broken
down chemically and physically by weathering.
Some of these products may have undergone
transport and re-deposition, or reworking of their
constituents by water movement and chemical
processes within the soil profle.
Calcrete borrow pit. Tsabong area.
The end product, a new road Molepolole-
Thamaga road.
The end product, a new road Molepolole- The end product, a new road Molepolole-
1 Introduction
2 Environmental Regions
of Botswana
3 Gravels in Botswana
4 Gravel Indicators
5 Interpretation of Maps
and Photographs
6 Survey Methodology
7 Evaluation of Gravel source
8 Reporting
9 References
10 Abbreviations
11 Appencices
Appendix 1 - Other relevant
Organisations
Appendix 2 - Weathering and
weathered materials
Appendix 3 - Botanical indicator
Species
Appendix 4 - Various logging
forms
Dumped base course material. Molepoloe-
Lephepe road.
Dumped base course material. Molepoloe- Dumped base course material. Molepoloe-
Introduction
Chapter 1
Introduction
11
Roads Department
n The frst part covers the geographical setting, the types of gravels that
are found in different parts of the country, and the important landforms
and other indicators that are a key to locating gravel deposits. Chapter
2 provides background information on the principal environmental co
trols that have led to the development of gravels. This is followed by a
description of the main types of gravel that occur, and includes a general-
ised map of prospecting regions, refecting a combination of materials
type, geographical factors and prospecting methodology. Chapter 4
describes the types of landforms that are usually associated with gravels.
n The second part (Chapter 5) introduces the interpretation of maps, aerial
photographs and satellite images. The chapter describes the principal
types of maps used in the detection of gravel sources, and how to inter-
pret them.
n The third part covers the methods and procedures to be followed in order
to produce a successful survey. This includes summaries of the desk study
and feld survey procedures in the form of checklists of the activities
described. The procedure for evaluating a gravel source is also outlined.
Chapter 8 summarises the information that should be included in a report
on the materials survey.
1.4 Summary of procedure
The overall procedure is reviewed here in order to show how information
about the route corridor is built up in a logical way. Refer to the fow dia-
gram in Figure 1.1.
The foundation of all prospecting work is the desk study. During this stage
the main decisions are made concerning the types of materials that occur,
where they are most likely to be found and the manner in which the feld
survey is to be conducted.
The phases of the desk study are:
n Identify the project requirement including road location and length;
specifcations for materials in the formation and pavement layers; vol-
umes of material required. This information is not within the scope of
the Guideline.
n Produce a provisional materials map.
n Plan the feld survey, e.g. route, sites to be visited and equipment and
resources required.
Indicators of the occurrence of gravel in the project area may come from
many sources including reports, maps, aerial photographs, and past experi-
ence. The principal outcome of the desk study is a provisional materials
map showing existing and possible sources of material within the explora-
tion corridor. This information is used as the basis for planning all follow-
ing work. Planning of the feld survey forms the fnal stage of the desk
study and assists the prospector with assembling adequate resources for the
feld survey and carrying it out effciently.
The feld survey consists of two phases:
n Locating potential sources of material
n Evaluation of each source.
The feld survey, which includes a reconnaissance traverse follows the
desk study. Having obtained an overview of materials within the route
corridor, the most favourable sites are investigated fully with trial pitting
and sampling.
At present, reporting the results of materials surveys is limited to the
production of a printed report.
The extent of the desk study should be linked to
the size of the feld survey in order to balance the
efforts of each exercise.
Data should be recorded in a computerised mate-
rials database in order to facilitate easy access
to information and help to plan future prospecting
activities.
Chapter 1
Introduction
12
Roads Department
Environmental Regions of Botswana
PROJECT PREPARATION
DESK STUDY
n Specifcation and quantity of materials
required
n Interpretation of background information
Provisional materials map
PLAN SURVEY
n Decide survey methodology and
procedure
n Carry out in-house or use consultant
n Environmental considerations
FIND & MAP SOURCES
n Reconnaissance feld survey
n Detailed feld survey
SOURCE EVALUATION (FIELD)
n Areal extent
n Profle description
n Visual classifcation
n Sample
DATA CAPTURE & FEEDBACK
n Reporting
n Materials inventory (database)
SOURCE EVALUATION
(LABORATORY)
n Laboratory testing
Figure 1.1 Flow diagram stages, for material prospecting.
Introduction
13 Chapter 2
Roads Department
2 ENVIRONMENTAL
REGIONS OF BOTSWANA
2.1 Introduction
Botswana can be divided into natural regions based primarily on the geol-
ogy and climate. Different landscapes and geomorphological processes
have characteristic soil and weathering profles and these can be used for
material location purposes.
2.2 Climate
Climate affects rock weathering and hence the formation of natural gravels.
Hot, wet conditions cause the rapid chemical breakdown of rocks. In dry con-
ditions, chemical reactions are restricted even though temperatures may be high.
Large daily temperature fuctuations contribute to rapid physical disintegration
The climate over most of the country is semi-arid, with a narrow band
along the southwestern border with South Africa classifed as desert. Thus,
chemical weathering for the most part is slow. The Weinert N-value ranges
between 2 at Kazungula to more than 30 in the extreme southwestern areas.
Typically, where N < 5 chemical decomposition of rock material prevails,
while physical disintegration of the rock predominates where N > 5. This
means that chemical decomposition is restricted to the area north of about
20S latitude under present-day climatic conditions.
The annual rainfall follows the same trend as the Weinert N-values with
about 650 mm of rain falling at Kazungula and less than 175 mm falling in
the extreme south-west areas.
Botswanas landscapes are the result of continental
uplifts, changes of climate, sea level and cycles of
erosion and deposition occurring over geological
time. These geomorphological processes have
had a profound infuence on the weathering of
the rocks and the development of surface and
pedocrete deposits
For additional information, refer to Weinerts book:
The natural road construction materials of
southern Africa.
The standard deviation of the annual rainfall is
very high and extreme wet and dry periods are not
uncommon.
The minimum rainfall exceeds the 100 mm threshold
value for dune activity and thus active sand
movement is restricted to dune crests in localised
areas.
Figure 2.1 Annual mean rainfall in the country and N-values.
Sand dunes can be seen in the extream south-
western part of the country (Bokspits).
14 Chapter 2
Roads Department
The climate has varied signifcantly in recent geological time. Evidence
suggests that chemical weathering associated with alternating wet and
dry cycles during the last two million years affected the weathering of
rock outcrops and formation of pedocretes. The presence of ferricrete, for
example, in eastern Botswana is evidence of tropical conditions in the past.
2.3 Geomorphology
Geomorphology is an important factor in determining the characteristics
and engineering properties of a weathered material.
Three aspects of geomorphology are of concern to the prospector:
n Weathering, past and present (see Appendix 2).
n Landscape formation - erosion and deposition.
n Pedocrete formation (combination of the above two).
Botswana can be divided into three principal geomorphological regions:
i) Eastern region
Rock landscapes, comprising hills and valleys and containing mostly
residual and transported gravels.
ii) Central region
Mixed landscapes, intermediate between Regions 1 and 3.
iii) Western region
An ancient basin now flled with deep sand (Kalahari). Subdued
landforms with pans, ancient dune felds with inter-dune hollows and
old river valleys, now dry (e.g. Okwa River, Mmone River, Naledi
Valley). Pedocretes (calcrete and silcrete) are the principal construc-
tion materials.
2.4 Geology
Where gravel is derived from weathered rock, the parent material is the most
important factor governing the properties of the gravels. The bulk of the
exposed hard-rock geology occurs in the eastern third of the country, the
remainder being covered with young sands. In these areas, therefore, pro-
specting for road gravels should take the local geology into consideration.
Botswana consists of fve geological regions: four solid rock regions and one
sand region. In each of the rock regions there is a mixture of rocks but one or
two predominate. The regions are:
n Karoo sediments and lavas.
n Mixed igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
n Non-metamorphic rocks.
n Basement rocks, into which various igneous rocks (mostly granites)
have been intruded.
n Geologically recent sands (Kalahari).
A simplifed map of the geology is included as Figure 2.2.
The Kalahari also contains ancient drainage
lines, which are now dry. These ancient drainage
systems are now the site of pedogenic calcretes
and silcretes within the Kalahari sand regions.
There is evidence that a large river system once
ran south through Botswana into the Orange
River. Similarly, the Makgadikgadi Pan area was
apparently once fed from the Okavango River as
well as other smaller rivers to the east.
Geomorphology concerns the interaction of rocks
(parent materials) with the processes of weathering,
erosion and deposition, over geological time.
Water is the primary agent of erosion, but wind and
gravity also play a considerable part
Aerial photograph, showing Sekoma Pan.
15 Chapter 2
Roads Department
2.4.1 Engineering classifcation of rock types
The actual rocks making up the four solid rock geological regions have
been grouped by Weinert (1980) into 10 classes for road building purposes,
of which seven are relevant in this Guideline. The residual component of
the frst fve comprise natural gravels for use in roads.
n Basic crystalline
n Acid crystalline
n High silica
n Arenaceous
n Argillaceous
n Pedocretes
n Transported soils
The basic crystalline group comprises those rocks with plagioclase feld-
spar and mafc minerals (pyroxene, amphibole, olivine) as their main con-
stituents and only small quantities (if any) of quartz present. Typical rocks
in this group are gabbro, basalt, diabase, basic and ultrabasic metamorphics
and metavolcanics. When the Weinert N-value is < 5, these materials
weather to montmorillonitic clays and thus have high plasticities and clay
contents. Where N > 5, the rocks disintegrate, any clays that do form are
hydromicas, and their properties are less problematic in road construction.
The basalts north of Nata (N < 5) are renowned for their high smectite
contents and poor performance in roads.
Basalt outcrop in a road cutting, Kasane
- Ngoma road.
Basalt outcrop in a road cutting, Kasane Basalt outcrop in a road cutting, Kasane
Figure 2.2 Simplifed Geology MAP - Stratigraphy and major rock types.
16 Chapter 2
Roads Department
Acid crystalline materials consist primarily of granites, gneisses and
felsites with a signifcant quartz component. The quartz is stable and the
feldspar components generally weather to low activity clays (illite and
kaolinite). Although N > 5 in the area south of Nata, certain materials show
evidence of chemical decomposition indicating that the local N-value has
probably been less than 5 in the recent past. Some of these materials (e.g.
felsites around Mochudi) have marginal plasticity index values (PI about
10) in terms of base course specifcations.
The high silica materials consist mostly of quartzites and quartz
porphyries. These materials only disintegrate leaving a quartz-rich sandy
to fne gravel material. Where present in suffcient quantities these gravels
make good base and subbase materials.
Arenaceous rocks comprise mostly sandstones and arkoses and are a
potentially important construction material. The aggregate strengths are
generally related to the cementing material and those that are cemented by
silica are usually more durable and stronger than those cemented by calcite or
clay.
The argillaceous rock group is represented mostly by mudstones and shales. The argillaceous rock The argillaceous rock
These materials, by defnition, contain clay minerals and are seldom suit-
able as construction materials for roads. Weathering of the materials is
generally in the form of disintegration resulting in clayey gravels to clays.
At best, argillaceous rocks can be used as subbase although when slightly
metamorphosed they can be used as a base material in light pavement
structures. Argillaceous rocks tend to be moisture sensitive and strength
testing of soaked materials is essential.
Pedocretes are probably the most useful natural gravel materials for road
construction in the country, particularly in areas covered by Kalahari sand.
They include primarily calcrete and silcrete with lesser volumes of ferricrete.
Pedocretes are variable in their composition and thickness, varying from
isolated pockets of gravels (nodules or glaebules) to thick deposits of
hardpan that can be ripped or crushed. Their formation is related mostly
to drainage structures, with the best materials being associated with fossil
pans and stream courses.
Transported soils cover a large proportion of the country and have been
used in road construction. They include unconsolidated material such
as alluvial gravels and sands (deposited by rivers), wind-blown sands,
and material accumulated by gravity on the lower parts of slopes (called
colluvium or talus).
2.5 Agricultural soils
Agricultural soils are of concern to the engineer because some soil groups
have distinctive characteristics of drainage, texture or structure that affect
aspects of engineering design, for example, subgrade bearing capacity or
depth to solid bedrock. From the prospectors point of view, some groups
develop nodular horizons that can be used as gravel for road construction.
The 1:1 000 000 soils map of Botswana (and the 1:250 000 series of the
eastern half) can provide useful information on the types of soils occurring
in certain areas. Indications of ferricrete and calcrete are particularly
relevant in this regard.
Prehistoric wetter conditions produced the for-
mation of ferricretes on rocks in eastern areas
of the country.
Thick seam of decomposed granite gravel at a
foothill in Shoshong Village.
Thick seam of decomposed granite gravel at a Thick seam of decomposed granite gravel at a
Arkose gravel burried in a fossil river valley
near Tsabong.
Arkose gravel burried in a fossil river valley Arkose gravel burried in a fossil river valley
A calcrete borrow pit along Molepolole-
Lephepe road.
A calcrete borrow pit along Molepolole- A calcrete borrow pit along Molepolole-
17 Chapter 2
Roads Department
Botswana contains six main groups of agricultural soils. They are described
below:
n Arenosols. Sandy soils occupying the whole western two thirds of
the country (the Kalahari). A large area around Metsematlulu (north
west of Molepolole) is mapped as possessing duripan in the soil profle, a
hard (though not neceessarily thick) horizon cemented by silica.
n Fluvisols. Soils developed on recent alluvium, wet but open-textured.
They are not of interest to prospectors.
n Solonchaks. Structureless, open-textured soils of high salinity, often
containing calcic or gypsic horizons. These are found in the Makgadik-
gadi Pans.
n Luvisols. Non-expansive clayey soils. The luvisol region occupies the
rock landscapes east of the Kalahari sand region. Those luvisols devel
oped on Basement Complex rocks are mapped as stony, which suggests
an increased frequency of gravel occurrence, probably quartzose. Some
of the luvisols will contain ferricrete.
n Vertisols. Expansive clay soils. These occur in pockets, especially on
basalts. Not of interest to the prospector.
n Lithosols. and regosols. Soils less than 0.5 m thick over bedrock.
They can constitute good engineering gravel.
2.6 Vegetation
The vegetation consists primarily of savanna (tree, shrub, and grass) with
aquatic grassland surrounding the large pans and swamps and limited forest
in the north. Vegetation can indicate the occurrence of gravel beneath the
soil. The type and health of vegetation is partly a function of the properties
of the soil. Certain plants have adapted to specifc soil conditions and can
be used as indicators of the presence of particular materials. Of particular
importance are the calcium tolerant species that indicate calcrete, discussed
in Chapter 4.
2.7 Prospecting regions
Taking consideration of the environmental factors discussed previously,
Botswana can be divided into three regions based primarily on geomor-
phology. These are subsequently sub-divided into specifc prospecting
regions based on geology and climate. These are shown in Figure 2.3 and
Table 2.1.
n The main types of material that occur within region.
n By implication, the techniques that are appropriate for prospecting in
each region.
n The regions where prospecting may be particularly diffcult (e.g. the
Okavango Delta). The map and Table indicate to the prospector:
Calcrete vegetation indicator - P. Lcubnitziae.
The Okavango Delta has proved to be
particulary diffcult to locate road construction
The Okavango Delta has proved to be The Okavango Delta has proved to be
materials.
particulary diffcult to locate road construction particulary diffcult to locate road construction
18 Chapter 2
Roads Department
Prospecting regions of Botswana.
Sand region.
Transistional region.
Rock region.
19 Chapter 2
Roads Department
Table 2.1. Prospecting regions of Botswana.
- t c e p s o r P
n o i g e r g n i
c i h p a r g i t a r t S
f o r e d r o n i , s p u o r g
e c n a n i m o d e r p
l a i r e t a m t n e r a P g n i r e e n i g n E
t r e n i e W ( s l a i r e t a m
) s c i l a t i n i s p u o r g
r e h t O
f o s c i t s i r e t c a r a h c
n o i g e r e h t
S N O I G E R K C O R . 1 . s n o i g e r k c o r f o s m r o f d n a l l e v a r G . k c o r m o r f d e v i r e d s l a i r e t a M
a 1
s e i r e S g r e b m r o t S
c i s a b x e l p m o C t n e m e s a B
s e v i s u r t n i
m e t s y S p r o d s r e t n e V
s a v a l t l a s a B
& s c i n a c l o v a t e M
s t n e m i d e s a t e m
s c i n a c l o V
e n i l l a t s y r c c i s a B
. s l a i r e t a m r o o p y l l a i t n e t o P
h g i h e v a h s l e v a r g l a u d i s e R
- i c o s s a f i d o o g e r a t u b , I P
. e t e r c l a c h t i w d e t a
d e t r o p s n a r t d n a l a u d i s e R
- e r e b n a c t a h t s l e v a r g
r o s u o e r a c l a c o t n i d e k r o w
. s l e v a r g s u o n i g u r r e f
h t i w d e t a i c o s s a s e t i s l e F
s l l i h f o s e p o l s y d n a s
b 1
g n u b e L
a k y w D & a c c E
g r e b r e t a W
e n o p u a T
t n e m e s a B n a e a h c r A
. x e l p m o C
s e n o t s t l i s & s e n o t s d n a S
s e n o t s d n a s & s e l a h S
s n o i s u r t n i c i s a b e m o S
s k c o r c i h p r o m a t e M
s u o e c a l l i g r a & s u o e c a n e r A
, s l a i r e t a m d e x i M y l t s o m f o
. y t i l a u q r o o p o t e t a r e d o m
; s l e v a r g l a u d i s e r e m o S
h t i w s e t e r c l a c ( s e t e r c o d e p
) s l a i r e t a m d e t a i c o s s a
t l a s a b l a u d i s e r t n e n i m o r P
. a e r a e w o r e S n i s l e v a r g
. n e d r u b r e v o d n a s k c i h T
, s e c a l p n i l i o s n o t t o c k c a l B
d e t r o p s n a r t y b n i a l r e v o
s l i o s c i t i n a r g
c 1
e v i s u r t n I n a i r b m a c e r P
t n e m e s a b c i t i n a r g
t n e m e s a B n a e a h c r A
x e l p m o C
s e t i n a r g , s e s s i e n G
s k c o r c i t i n a r G
e n i l l a t s y r c d i c A
s l e v a r g y d n a s y t i l a u q d o o G
s e t i s l e f l a u d i s e R . I P w o l f o
n o i t c u r t s n o c d o o g m r o f
s l a i r e t a m
K C O R R E V O D N A S I R A H A L A K N I H T - S N O I G E R L A N O I T I S N A R T . 2 s u l p , k c o r m o r f d e v i r e d s l a i r e t a M .
. s n o i g e r d n a s d n a k c o r h t o b m o r f d e v i r e d s m r o f d n a l l e v a r G . d n a s n i h t i w d e p o l e v e d s e t e r c o d e p
a 2
o o r r a K r e v o s d e b i r a h a l a K & e t e r c l a c h t i w d n a S
e t e r c l i s
s a v a l t l a s a B
s e t e r c o d e P
c i s a B
f o t n e l a v i u q e l a n o i t i s n a r T
a 1 n o i g e R
b 2
g n u b e L r e v o s d e b i r a h a l a K
a k y w D & a c c E
& e t e r c l a c h t i w d n a S
e t e r c l i s
s e n o t s t l i s & s e n o t s d n a S
s e t e r c o d e P
& s u o e c a n e r A
s u o e c a l l i g r a
b 1 n o i g e R
c 2
r e v o s d e b i r a h a l a K
c i t i n a r g n a i r b m a c e r P
, a w g a w g e S , t n e m e s a b
n a e a h c r A , e n o p u a T
x e l p m o C t n e m e s a B
& e t e r c l a c h t i w d n a S
, s e t i z t r a u q , s e l a h S e t e r c l i s
, s e t i m o l o d , s a v a l
c i t i n a r g , s c i h p r o m a t e m
s k c o r
, s u o e c a n e r A s e t e r c o d e P
, s u o e c a n o b r a c , a c i l i s h g i h
c i s a b ; d i c a
c 1 n o i g e R
d 2
i z n a h G
e g d i R
a c c E ) i z n a h G ( g r e b r e t a W
a k y w D &
& s e n o t s t l i s , s e n o t s d n a S
e s o k r a
s u o e c a n e r a ; s u o e c a n e r A
d e t a i c o s s a , s u o e c a l l i g r a &
e t e r c o d e p h t i w
. d n a s h t i w s p o r c t u o k c o R
y t i l a u q d o o g s m r o f e s o k r A
l a i r e t a m n o i t c u r t s n o c
S N O I G E R D N A S . 3 . s p o r c t u o k c o r h t i w d n a s y l t s o m e r a s n o i g e r e m o S . d n a s n i h t i w d e p o l e v e d s e t e r c o d e p y l n i a M
. s n o i g e r d n a s m o r f d e v i r e d s m r o f d n a l l e v a r G
a 3
a g k i d a g k a M
s n a P i d
s d e b i r a h a l a K e t e r c l i s & e t e r c l a C e t e r c o d e P s l i o s e n i l a s y r e V
b 3
d n a n r e h t u o S
l a r t n e c
i r a h a l a K
s d e b i r a h a l a K
, k e o h s t n a h p i l O f o s p o r c t u O
g n u b e L , a k y w D & a c c E
d n u o r a S n i a r a m a D d n a
o b o g o g o B d n a g n o b a h s T
s e t e r c l a c h t i w d n a s p e e D
. s e t e r c l i s &
s t n e m i d e s d e x i M
s e t e r c o d e p & s l i o S
; s u o e c a l l i g r a ; s u o e c a n e r A
s u o e c a n o b r a c ; a c i l i s h g i h
' N ' c i t a m i l c s i y r a d n u o b N
5 = e u l a v
k c o r h t i w , d n a s y l t s o M
s p o r c t u o
c 3
) s d e B e l t e l t o B (
s e t e r c l i s &
s e t e r c o d e p & s l i o S ; e c a f r u s n o i s o r e e l t e l t o B
s n a p w e f
d 3
s d e b i r a h a l a K s e t e r c l a c h t i w d n a s p e e D
s e t e r c l i s &
s e t e r c o d e p & s l i o S p m a w s c i d o i r e p / l a n o s a e S
e 3
o g n a v a k O
a t l e D
s d e b i r a h a l a K s e t e r c l a c h t i w d n a s p e e D
s e t e r c l i s &
s e t e r c o d e p & s l i o S p m a w s t n e n a m r e P
s e c r u o s s l a i r e t a m w e F
f 3
n r e h t r o N
i r a h a l a K
s d e b i r a h a l a K & s e t e r c l a c , d n a s p e e D
s e t e r c l i s
s e t e r c o d e p & s l i o S c i t a m i l c t u b , b 3 o t r a l i m i S
5 < e u l a v ' N '
g 3
s e i r e S g r e b m r o t S
s a v a l t l a s a B s e t e r c l i s &
c i s a b ; s e t e r c o d e p & s l i o S . s p o r c t u o k c o r h t i w d n a S
r o o P . 2 = e u l a v ' N ' c i t a m i l C
s l e v a r g y t i l a u q
Chapter 3
Gravels in Botswana
20
Roads Department
Gravels in Botswana
3 GRAVELS IN BOTSWANA
3.1 Introduction
The gravel prospecting regions have been defned in the previous chapter.
Typical gravels likely to be encountered in these regions are discussed in
this chapter.
3.2 Residual gravels
Residual materials are the in situ, weathered remains of any parent rock.
Residual materials are arguably the least variable of potential construction
materials and where readily available would often be the frst choice con-
struction material. The chemical and physical nature of the material is
primarily a function of the parent material (composition and structure) but
is also strongly affected by the mode of weathering. The quality of residual
soils in terms of road building generally improves with depth. Characteris-
tics such as the plasticity decreases, the grading improves and the strength
of both the bulk material and its aggregate component increases. At some
point, however, the material strength reaches a value that ripping becomes
impracticable and blasting is necessary.
3.2.1 Acid crystalline rock gravels
The most common and most used residual gravels are derived from the
weathering of acid crystalline rocks, particularly granitic rocks, gneisses
and felsites.
Granite gravels (and soils) are typically found in the southeastern parts
of the country where the Gaborone granite complex outcrops extensively,
and in parts of the central region where the Mahalapye Granite outcrops
(Region 1c).
These residual granite gravels are typifed by the medium to coarse sub-
rounded quartz grains and large, pale white, sub-rounded feldspar grains of
the Gaborone granite. Granitic gravels usually exhibit very good compac-
tion characteristics, low to moderate PI (0 to 10) and moderate to high GM
(1.5 - 2), all of which improve with depth.
Gneiss gravels (soils) are fairly widespread, being derived from metamor-
phic rocks. They are abundant north of the residual granites (Region 1c)
around Francistown. The gneiss gravels are similar in character to the
residual granite gravels. Their engineering properties depend on the extent
of the weathering and the depth of the weathering zone, both of which are
con-trolled by climatic N-value and geomorphology.
Felsite gravels are found in the southern parts of the country, north of
Gaborone (Region 1c around Mochudi). Felsite residual soils tend to have
a higher clay content and therefore if completely decomposed may not be
suitable for most pavement layers. Where disintegration was the primary
mode of weathering, the gravel exhibits good engineering properties.
Information about the origin of residual gravels
comes mainly from geological maps and reports.
Decomposed felsite, also showing unweathered
core stones. Area near Sikwane.
Decomposed felsite, also showing unweathered Decomposed felsite, also showing unweathered
Granite outcrops in the Thamaga area.
A granite outcrop in the Thamaga area.
Borrowpit in the Shoshong area.
Gravels in Botswana
Chapter 3
Gravels in Botswana
21
Roads Department
3.2.2 Basic crystalline rock gravels
Basic crystalline residual gravels are not very common. Where they occur,
they seldom have good engineering properties. This is a result of basic cry-
stalline rocks weathering rapidly to active clay minerals where the climatic
N-value is less than 5.
Basalt gravels occur as isolated pockets spread throughout the country but
the most prominent locations are within the Stormberg basalt lavas. They
are found mostly in Regions 1a, 2a and 3g.
The basalt residual gravels are typically associated with black cotton
clay, which are derived from the decomposition of mafc minerals. The
gravel may have high plasticity, especially where the rock is completely
decomposed. Where the rock is disintegrated the gravels tend to have
angular rock fragments, which improves the engineering properties of the
material. When impregnated with calcareous material the residual basalt
gravel usually exhibits good engineering characteristics if the PI is low.
Dolerite gravels are not very common as they tend to be in the form of
linear or localised intrusions. They typically form kopjies or dykes in
Region 1b.
The residual dolerite gravels are similar to the basalt gravels. The dolerite
however tends to weather into sub-rounded core stones through the onion
skin peeling mechanism. This results in an abundance of oversized core
stones, which are usually diffcult to break during construction
3.2.3 Arenaceous rock gravels
Arenaceous residual gravels are widespread as the Transvaal, Waterberg
and Karoo Supergroups, and the Ghanzi Group occupy a substantial
outcrop area (Regions 1b, 2b, 2d and 3b).
Most of the sandstones do not weather into good quality gravels unless
impregnated with pedogenic materials. However, those cemented with
silica tend to be more durable.
The arkose of the Ghanzi group (Region 2d) weathers into good quality
residual gravels. The residual arkose gravel is often cemented by calcrete,
silcrete or ferricrete material to form pedogenic gravel.
3.2.4 High silica gravels
High silica gravels consist primarily of quartzite and quartz porphyries.
Quartzites are associated with areanceous rocks of the Waterberg and
Transvaal Supergroups (Region 1c). They are usually good construction
materials as they are composed almost entirely of quartz. Their character-
istic hardness can result in diffculty during processing to an acceptable
grading.
A pebble marker is a stone or gravel layer between residual weathered A pebble marker A pebble marker
rock and overlying transported soil, consisting of quartzitic pebbles in a
soil matrix. Pebble markers are not very common and are usually too thin
and too localised to be considered as sources of road building material on
their own.
An outcrop of quartzite on a ridge near
Middelpits.
An outcrop of quartzite on a ridge near An outcrop of quartzite on a ridge near
Unweathered dolerite core stones can be useful
for stone pitching and gabion basket flling.
Mahalapye - Shoshong road, Bonwapitse river
crossing.
Chapter 3
Gravels in Botswana
22
Roads Department
Gravels in Botswana
3.3 Pedogenic gravels
Pedogenic gravels are probably the most useful, and often the only suitable
construction materials in the sandy areas of Botswana. Their unique mode
of formation also makes them the most variable materials and the most
diffcult to locate, particularly as they tend to occur in relatively small and
localised occurrences.
Calcrete is the most common pedogenic gravel in Botswana. It is found
almost everywhere associated with both residual and transported materials.
Where calcrete is associated with residual gravel it is usually nodular in nature,
whereby the nodules are derived from parent rock fragments (Regions 1, 2
and 3g predominantly). Such calcretes are common in the eastern corridor,
where borrow pits are often overlain by clayey soils, especially where the
parent rock is a basic crystalline rock. Calcretes formed by the cementation
of fne-grained soils are the most common and important construction
material in Regions 2 and 3. These calcretes occur typically in pans of
various sizes in inter-dunal depressions and in areas of grey sands.
Pedogenic gravels or pedocretes are formed
when rock or soil particles become impregnated
with, or cemented or replaced by, an additional
component. The most common impregnating
components are calcium carbonate, to form
calcrete, iron hydroxide to form ferricrete and
amorphous silica to form silcrete.
Pedogenic gravels are identifed mainly by inter-
pretation of landscape features (geomorphology),
supplemented by information from soil maps and
occasionally geological maps. (Except in the case
of the Kalahari region, which is shown on the
national geological map).(Exept in the case of the
Kalahari region, which is shown on the national
geological map).
Ferricrete borrow pit along the
Mahalapye - Machaneng road.
Ferricrete borrow pit along the Ferricrete borrow pit along the
Four types of Calcrete:
Upper right - Nodular
Upper left - Hard plan
Bottom right - Calsifed sand
Bottom left - Powder
Powder calcrete, Sekoma area.
Calcifed sand, Tsau area. Nodular calcrete, Tsabong area.
Hardpan calcrete, Sekoma area.
For details on the formation and development
of calcrete refer to Netterberg (1969). For
the location, selection and use of calcrete in
Botswana, see TRRL Report No. 1122 (1984).
Silcretes are increasingly being quarried for
crusher run base course and chippings for
surfacing in areas lacking conventional sources
of aggregate, particularly in the Kgalagadi and
Ngamiland districts.
Gravels in Botswana
Chapter 3
Gravels in Botswana
23
Roads Department
Silcrete is the second most widespread pedogenic material. Silcretes are
often found in association with nodular or hard-pan calcrete. Most of the
large calcrete pans have silcrete in the outer margin of the pan (Region 3).
These are usually diffcult to break with a pickaxe and may require drilling
to explore and blasting to exploit.
Ferricrete is found along the eastern corridor and is probably associated
with historically wet conditions, as it is un-likely that they would form
under the prevailing climatic conditions (Region 1).
3.4 Transported materials
Transported materials are widespread and varied. The type and quality of the
material is highly dependent on the geology of the source, the type and extent
of weathering, the mode and energy of transportation, the age of the transported
sediments and whether any pedogenic modifcation has occurred
Transported materials can be classifed as:
n Colluvial - associated with hill slopes.
n Alluvial - associated with river courses.
n Aeolian - windblown sands.
Colluvial gravels are typically coarse grained i.e. gravel, cobble and
boulders and therefore tend to have a high proportion of oversize material.
Alluvial gravel can be found along both active and ancient river courses.
In active channels, gravel is usually found on the inner side of river mean-
ders and on terraces. Rivers produce large quantities of coarse and fne
sand that can be used for concrete and for sand seals on surfaced roads.
Buried alluvial gravels associated with ancient basins and braided rivers
are potentially useful sources of materials in the Kgalagadi Region. These
gravels are particularly useful in the Molopo River, Lake Ngami and Gweta
areas. Alluvial gravel can be impregnated with calcrete, silcrete or ferricrete
especially where it is deposited within a drainage basin such as a pan. Allu-
vial soils range from clay, sands and gravel to boulders.
Aeolian soils are fne grained. The most abundant aeolian soils are the
single sized sands of the Kalahari beds. These sands are found everywhere
in the region west of 26E latitude (Region 3). The sands:
n Form dune features, which are easily distinguishable on aerial photo-
graphs and satellite imagery.
n Have varying colour and characteristics refecting variation in engineer-
ing characteristics. Colour varies from pure white (common in pockets
under grey sand) to greyish, and from light brown to dark brown and
reddish.
n Have characteristics that change with depth. They are normally non-
plastic on the 0.425mm sieve, but may exhibit plasticity (PI > 10) on
the minus 0.075mm sieve.
It is important that the material prospector also takes note or even samples
sources of Kalahari sand, as they could be used for road construction.
Kalahari sand blended with calcrete has been successfully used in pave-
ments both as selected subgrade and subbase. Laboratory testing should be
carried out to determine the optimum mix proportions
Information on transported soils comes from
interpretation of features in the landscape, plus
analysis of soil maps. Sometimes geological
maps also give clues.
Typical quartz pebbly gravel found in burried
braided river channels near Middlepits.
Typical quartz pebbly gravel found in burried Typical quartz pebbly gravel found in burried
Kalahari sand has been successfully used as fll,
selected subgrade and subbase on low volume
roads. The grey sands, which often have good
compaction characteristics, occur as overburden to
calcrete gravels and on inter-dune depressions.
Burried alluvial gravel west of Gweta.
Chapter 3
Gravels in Botswana
24
Roads Department
Gravel Indicators
The two predominant types of materials in
the country. Kalahari sand and calcrete cover
The two predominant types of materials in The two predominant types of materials in
about 80% of the country`s area.
the country. Kalahari sand and calcrete cover the country. Kalahari sand and calcrete cover
Kalahari sands varies in thickness from a few
metres to approximately 300 metres.
Kalahari sands varies in thickness from a few Kalahari sands varies in thickness from a few
Figure 3.1. Relationship between soaked CBR and proportion of Kalahari sand mixed
in with calcrete.
Relationship between soaked CBR and proportion of Kalahari sand mixed Relationship between soaked CBR and proportion of Kalahari sand mixed
The sketch map showing available road
construction materials in the country.
The sketch map showing available road The sketch map showing available road
Figure 3.2. Typical grading envelope
of Kalahari sand.
Typical grading envelope Typical grading envelope Figure 3.3. Typical density curve of
Kalahari sand.
Typical density curve of Typical density curve of
Gravels in Botswana
Chapter 4
Gravel Indicators
Roads Department
4 GRAVEL INDICATORS
4.1 Introduction
Three types of gravel indicator are recognised in Botswana:
n Landform.
n Botanical indicators (specialised plants).
n Animal indicators (traces left by animal activity).
4.2 Landform
Landform refers to the confguration of the ground surface in a distinctive
shape. Landform is important in gravel location, as different types of
gravel are associated with particular landforms. This association is due to:
n The presence of material near the surface giving rise directly to a
particular type of landform. (e.g. a band of harder rock gives rise to a
bump on a slope or a fat hill top, depending upon the rocks position
and orientation).
n The development of a particular type of gravel in relation to a geomor-
phological feature (e.g. a river terrace typically is made up of alluvial
gravel).
Identifcation of landforms should be done during the desk study using
aerial photographs and maps.
4.2.1 Landforms of rock regions
Rock regions have the typical range of gravel landforms illustrated in Table
4.1. This table is the key to the landform names given in Table 4.2. Table 4.2
takes the main parent materials described in Chapters 2 and 3 and indi-
cates the landforms that are commonly associated with each.
4.2.2 Landforms of sand regions
The landforms in the sand regions of the country are given in Table 4.3,
and the gravels associated with them are given in Table 4.4.
If gravel particles are present in the soil, the processes of weathering and
erosion will tend to bring some of these to the surface. The accumulation
of a layer of stones and gravel on the surface can give the false impression
that the soil is composed of gravel, or that a gravel layer lies at depth. Before
marking the area as a potential source of gravel it is important to check that
a gravel layer is actually present, by fnding an exposed profle. A good
indication as to whether there is a possibility of fnding good gravel is to
look around the base of trees to see if growth has brought pebbles to the
surface. Check by digging a profle near the tree or by use of the calcrete
probe
4.3 Botanical Indicators
The presence of certain plant species and sometimes the nature of their
growth can depend upon the mineralogical and physical properties of the
soil in which they are growing. Botanical indicators can thus be a useful
Not all occurrences of gravel landforms are nec-
essarily associated with gravel suitable for road
construction, nor do all occurrences of gravel
necessarily give rise to an identifable landform.
A number of small and larger pans occur in the
Kgalagadi region.These often contain good
A number of small and larger pans occur in the A number of small and larger pans occur in the
quality calcrete. This pan is the Sekoma Pan.
Kgalagadi region.These often contain good Kgalagadi region.These often contain good
Chapter 4
Gravel Indicators
Roads Department
Gravel Indicators
m r o f d n a L ) n o i t c e s - s s o r c ( m a r g a i D
p o t l l i h t a l F
s e g d e p r a h s h t i w ) u a e t a l p ( p o t l l i h l e v e l , t a l F
s n i g r a m t a
p o t l l i h g n i p o l S
n e e w t e b e g d e p r a h s h t i w p o t l l i h t a l f , d e n i l c n I
p i d ) e l t n e g e r o m ( d n a e p o l s p r a c s ) p e e t s (
e p o l s
l l i h l a c i n o C
n i r a l u c r i c s s e l r o e r o m , p o t d e t n i o p h t i w l l i H
h t o o m s r o r a l u g e r r i e b y a m s e d i S . n a l p
d n u o M
r o , s e p o l s x e v n o c h t i w p o t l l i h d e d n u o R
p o t l l i h r o u a e t a l p a n o ' p m u b ' x e v n o c
e g d i R
s s o r c a g n i n n u r e g d i r w o r r a n , t h g i a r t s , g n o L
s u o e n g i n a y b d e m r o f y l l a u s U . y r t n u o c
n i e v z t r a u q a r o ) l l i s r o e k y d ( n o i s u r t n i
h c n e r T
g n i n n u r n o i s s e r p e d w o r r a n , t h g i a r t s , g n o L
m r o f d n a l e g d i R e h t e k i L . y r t n u o c s s o r c a
- u r t n i s u o e n g i n a y b d e m r o f y l l a u s u , ) e v o b a (
g n i d n u o r r u s e h t e s a c s i h t n i , r e v e w o H . n o i s
. n o i s u r t n i e h t n a h t t n a t s i s e r e r o m e r a s k c o r
f o r i a p a y b d e m r o f s i h c n e r t e h t s e m i t e m o S
e h y b d e m r o f , s e g d i r l e l l a r a p d e c a p s - y l e s o l c
e h t y b d r a h ' d e k a b ' g n i e b k c o r g n i d n u o r r u s
n o i s u r t n i e h t f o t a e h
e p o l s t o o F
, e p o l s r e p e e t s a f o t o o f e h t t a e p o l s e l t n e G
f o n o i t a l u m u c c a e h t y b ) e s a c s i h t n i ( d e m r o f
e h t n i ) e t e r c i r r e f y l l a u s u ( l e v a r g c i n e g o d e p
e l i f o r p l i o s
e c a r r e T
a f o e g d e e h t t a d e t a u t i s m r o f t a l p d e s i a R
r e v i r a y b d e t i s o p e d , y e l l a v
n i a l p d o o l F
. r e v i r g n i d n i w h t i w r o o l f y e l l a v t a l f , d a o r B
f o e d i s n i e h t n o e t a l u m u c c a l e v a r g d n a d n a S
s d n e b r e v i r
aid to materials location. However, plants are adaptable and the absence of
an indicator species does not necessarily mean that the material is absent,
whilst the presence of the indicator species does not always signify that the
underlying material is suitable for engineering purposes.
A list of species used for the location of pedogenic materials is provided
in Table 4.5. A guide to the identifcation of the listed species, together
with illustrations, is provided in Appendix 3. Plants are usually used to
help identify pedogenic materials in sand regions. In some instances, an
abundance of certain species indicates the absence of road construction
materials near the surface. In rock regions landform features are usually a
more direct indicator.
A distinct change in the species type, a dense thicket of a particular
species or a change in the form of the plants may be suffcient to identify
a potential source. The ability to identify the exact species is not always
necessary in these instances.
Various publications have excellent leaf keys,
photographs, distribution maps and descriptions
that are suitable for the identifcation of the
botanical indicator species. Assistance can also
be obtained from the Botany Department at the
University of Botswana.
If local inhabitants are questioned or involved in
the study, knowing the local names of plants is
often useful. Note, however, that identifcation
of plants using local names can be misleading
due to the wide variety of names used for the
same plant.
Common land form in the eastern part of the
country. Ridge alonge the Dikabeya - Kgagodi
Common land form in the eastern part of the Common land form in the eastern part of the
- Ict. Sefhophe - Martins Drift.
country. Ridge alonge the Dikabeya - Kgagodi country. Ridge alonge the Dikabeya - Kgagodi
Table 4.1 Landforms of rock regions,associated with gravel deposits.
Large borrowpit on the Lephphe-Shoshong
road. Base quality material (granite, quartz-
Large borrowpit on the Lephphe-Shoshong Large borrowpit on the Lephphe-Shoshong
rich gravel).
road. Base quality material (granite, quartz- road. Base quality material (granite, quartz-
Dumped gravel base course, Lephephe-
Shoshong road.
Dumped gravel base course, Lephephe- Dumped gravel base course, Lephephe-
Gravel Indicators
Methods and Procedures for Prospecting for Road Construction Materials Chapter 4
Gravel Indicators
Roads Department
Table 4.2 Types of gravel associated with rock regions.
Granite, quartz-rich gneiss. Mmadinare area.
e p y t l e v a r G l a i r e t a m t n e r a P m r o f d n a L s m e l b o r p g n i r e e n i g n e e l b i s s o P
S L E V A R G L A U D I S E R
k c o r d e r e h t a e W a v a L l l i h g n i p o l s , p o t l l i h t a l F
p o t
n i a t n o c y a m n o i t i s o p m o c c i s a b f o a v a L
s l a r e n i m e l b a r e h t a e w
e k y d s u o e n g I h c n e r t r o e g d i R n i a t n o c y a m n o i t i s o p m o c c i s a b f o s a v a L
s l a r e n i m e l b a r e h t a e w
l l i s s u o e n g I l l i h f o e d i s n o e g d i R n i a t n o c y a m n o i t i s o p m o c c i s a b f o s a v a L
e b y a m l l i S . s l a r e n i m e l b a r e h t a e w
n o n o i t i s o p o t g n i w o , t i o l p x e o t t l u c i f f i d
) n e d r u b r e v o - ( l l i h f o e d i s
s s i e n g h c i r - z t r a u q , e t i n a r G d n u o M
e n o N
e l b a r e h t a e w n i a t n o c y a m s e s s i e n G
s l a r e n i m
e n o t s d n a S p o t l l i h t a l f , d n u o M
e n o N
t f o s r e h t a r e b y a m s e l c i t r a P
a i c c e r b , e t a r e m o l g n o C l l i h g n i p o l s , p o t l l i h t a l F
p o t
d n u o M
e n o N
. d e d n u o r e r a s e l c i t r a p e t a r e m o l g n o C
y a m s e l c i t r a p e s r a o c e h t f o s e i t r e p o r P
x i r t a m e h t f o e s o h t m o r f t n e r e f f i d e b
e t i m o l o d , e l b r a m , e n o t s e m i L l l i h g n i p o l s , p o t l l i h t a l F
p o t
d n u o M
e n o N
z t r a u q n i e V s e p y t l l a f o s e s s i e n g , e t i n a r G e g d i R s e l c i t r a p f o k c o l r e t n i l a c i n a h c e m r o o P
S L E V A R G D E T R O P S N A R T
e n i l e n o t s z t r a u Q e p o l s t o o F
e n o N
e p o l s t o o F
. s e l c i t r a p f o k c o l r e t n i l a c i n a h c e m r o o P
. s e n i f y n a m o o t n i a t n o c o t d n e t y a M
m u i v u l l o C e p o l s t o o F s e n i f y n a m o o t n i a t n o c y a M
m u i v u l l A e c a r r e T
n i a l p d o o l F
d n a y d n a s n e t f o , s e l c i t r a p d e d n u o R
s e n i f n i g n i k c a l
Chapter 4
Gravel Indicators
Roads Department
Gravel Indicators
m r o f d n a L ) n o i t c e s - s s o r c ( m a r g a i D
' m r o f t a l p ' h t i w n a P
l a m i n i m r o o n h t i w n a p d e r o o l f - t a l F
h c n e b w o l a s i ' m r o f t a l P ' . n o i t a t e g e v
t u b n a p e h t f o e g d e e h t n o d e t a u t i s
. d n u o r y a w e h t l l a g n i d n e t x e t o n y l l a u s u
s s e l r o , s s o r c a m 0 0 5 n a h t e r o m e b y a M
r o e v i t c n i t s i d s a y l l a u s u t o n s i m r o f t a l P : e t o N
e r e h n w o h s s a s u o i v b o
' m r o f t a l p ' t u o h t i w n a P
f o t n e m p o l e v e d o n h t i w n a p d e r o o l f - t a l F
e b y a M . e g d e e h t d n u o r a h c n e b w o l a
e b y a M . s s e l r o , s s o r c a m 0 0 5 n a h t e r o m
s e s s a r g n i a t n o c r o , n o i t a t e g e v t u o h t i w
n o i s s e r p e D
, e c a f r u s d n a s e h t n i w o l l o h e v a c n o C
s s a r g e h T . s e s s a r g g n i n i a t n o c
n i d e g n a r r a n e t f o e r a s e i t i n u m m o c
n o i s s e r p e d e h t d n u o r a s e n o z c i r t n e c n o c
w o l l o h e n u d - r e t n I
n i l e n n a h c e v a c n o c t h g i a r t s , g n o l y r e V
g n i m r o f y n a m f o e n O . e c a f r u s d n a s
s w o l l o h h t i w s e s i r r a e n i l l e l l a r a p
f o h t u o s a e r a e h t n i d e i f i p y T . n e e w t e b
d e p o l e v e d e r a s e t e r c l a C . e n a a w s t a k a T
. w o l l o h e h t f o e n i l e h t g n o l a s l a v r e t n i t a
) l e n n a h c r e v i r d l o ( y e l l a V
. d n a s h t i w n i d e l l i f , y e l l a v r e v i r y r d A
e l t n e g , d a o r b a f o m r o f e h t s e k a T
r o f s d n e t x e t a h t n o i s s e r p e d d e t a g n o l e
n e e w t e b n e e s s a , s e r t e m o l i k y n a m
y l i s a e , s e c a l p n I . a d r e W d n a a e k a h K
o s , s r e h t o n i t u b d n u o r g e h t n o e l b i s i v
y l d r a h e b o t s a w o l l a h s d n a e d i w
e l b a t c e t e d
d n a s y e r G
d n a s y e r g y l n o , f e i l e r c i h p a r g o p o t o N
r o h s i d d e r g n i d n u o r r u s h t i w g n i t s a r t n o c
s d n a s n w o r b
m r o f d n a L l a i r e t a M d n a s c i t s i r e t c a r a h C
s t n e m m o c
m r o f t a l p h t i w n a P
m i r d n u o r a
y l b i s s o p , e t e r c l a C
r a l u d o n r o n a p d r a h
e t e r c l i S
s i e t e r c l a c y t i l a u q t s e b e h T
m r o f t a l p n a p e h t n i d n u o f
t u o h t i w n a P
m r o f t a l p
e t e r c l a C
e t e r c l i S
t u b r u c c o y a m e t e r c l a c d o o G
- e r p t o n s i y t i l a u Q . l a u s u t o n s i
- n o c y a m s n a p e g r a L . e l b a t c i d
e t e r c l a c r e d l u o b r o d r a h n i a t
e g r a l e h t n i s m r o f e t e r c l i S
i d a g k a l a g K e h t f o s n a p
n o i s s e r p e D . r a l u d o n e b n a c e t e r c l a C
r o , e c n e r r u c c o o n n e t f O
d n a s s u o e r a c l a c
. e t e r c l a c y t i l a u q r o o p y l l a u s U
s e p o l s e d i s e h t n o r u c c o y a M
w o l l o h e n u d - r e t n I - d r a h e t e r c l i s d n a e t e r c l a C
r o b m o c y e n o h r o n a p
r a l u d o n
s l a i r e t a m y t i l a u q d o o g , y l l a c o L
t s o m r e v o e n o n y l l a r e n e g t u b
h t g n e l s ' w o l l o h e h t f o
r e v i r d l o ( y e l l a V
) l e n n a h c
y l b i s s o p , e t e r c l a C
r a l u d o n r o n a p d r a h
s l a i r e t a m y t i l a u q d o o g , y l l a c o L
t s o m r e v o e n o n y l l a r e n e g t u b
e m o S . h t g n e l s ' y e l l a v e h t f o
e v i s n e t x e n i a t n o c s y e l l a v
s d n a s d e i f i c l a c
y e r g - m r o f d n a l o N
- a r t n o c , y l n o d n a s
- d n u o r r u s h t i w g n i t s
d n a s d e r g n i
. d n a s s u o e r a c l a C
e t e r c l a c e m o s y l b i s s o P
e t e r c l a c y t i l a u q r o o p y l l a u s U
s i d n a s f i r e t t e b e b y a m t u b
s d n a s h s i k c a l B . c i t s a l p - n o n
y t i l a u q r e t t e b s d l e i y y l l a u s u
l a i r e t a m
Table 4.3 Landforms of sand regions,associated with gravel deposits.
Table 4.4 Gravel types accociated with sand regions.
Old river channel. (At left a borrow pit area).
Sehitwa - Tsau road.
Old river channel. (At left a borrow pit area). Old river channel. (At left a borrow pit area).
Gravel Indicators
Gravel Indicators
Roads Department
4.3.1 Factors infuencing the use of botanical
indicators
Although botanical indicators are a valuable source of information for
material location, certain human and natural infuences can limit their
effectiveness.
Species identifcation may be diffcult for inexperienced persons.
Reference to a suitable leaf key and books for identifcation will be helpful.
Human occupation in rural areas, where shifting cultivation and the
regular cutting of trees changes the natural species mix, may suppress
the normal spread of indicator plants. Certain species have cultural
signifcance or are used for medicinal purposes. These are left uncut and
can become disproportionately frequent.
In areas where livestock overgrazing occurs, signifcant changes in the
vegetation become evident and indicator species can be trampled or eaten
back to ground level. Selective browsing can give the false impression that
the remaining unpalatable species are dominant. In areas where the natural
pasture grass is unacceptable for grazing, other more suitable species are
often planted, thus giving a false indication of the ecology.
Natural bush fres or regular burning of grassland for grazing purposes or regular burning of grassland for grazing pur or regular burning of grassland for grazing pur
may eliminate species that could be suitable for indicator purposes.
Riverine vegetation may give false indications of the underlying mate-
rial, because some of the species may have been transported in from distant
localities
The environmental constraints associated
with working adjacent to rivers must also be
considered before excavating in these areas.
Table 4.5 Indicator plants for pedogenic gravels.
l a i r e t a M
e p y t
e m a n l a c i n a t o B n o m m o C
e m a n
e m a n l a c o L
e t e r c l a C i i k c e l f a i c a c A
a r e f i l l e m a i c a c A
i i n w o r b e n a i c a c A
s n e i c i f e r a i c a c A
i r d n a x e l a s e t c a r h p o t a C
e b r e b m i m u t e r b m o C
a r e n i c s y h c a t s o r h c i D
s e d i o c i r e s u l a h p e c o i r E
r u o l o c i b a i w e r G
a v a l f a i w e r G
s n e c s e v a l f a i w e r G
s i s n e l a g e n e s s u n e t y a M
e a i z t i n b u e l a e h c s e o l - l e u h c e P
s e t a r o h p m a c s u h t n a n o h c r a T
s e d i o n u r p a i l a n i m r e T
n r o h t e d a l B
n r o h t k o o H
a i c a c a r e t a W
a l l e r b m u e s l a F
n r o h t
n r o h t t e p m u r T
d o o w d a e L
h s u b e l k c i S
h s u b w o n S
h s u b y d n a r b e s l a F
h s u b y d n a r B
y r r e b y e k n o D
e e r t i t t e f n o C
h s u b r e t t i B
h s u b r o h p m a C
u h a h o M / a l a k o M
a n a g n o M
a y u g n u p u r O
a y u g n u p u r O
e l e s e l e s o M
i s i w e L
a n a w g o M
a w l t r o M
a h t a h p m a g k o M
o n o h t o M
i d u k o M / i s t e m e l a l t o M
a h l t a h o M
a r a i s t o M
e t e r c i r r e F s u m o c u e n o g o p o r d n A
m u t a l u c i p a m u t e r b m o C
s i r a g l u v e b e o t S
s s a r g e k a l f w o n S
w o l l i w h s u b d e R
h s u b t o r k n a B
i r i d u h o M
d n a s p e e D
( s e t a c i d n I
f o e c n e s b a
) s l e v a r g
n o l y x o t a m e a h a i c a c A
s i s n e i a s s a m a i h p a B
a n a c i r f a a e k r u B
a e c i r e s a i l a n i m r e T
n r o h t l e m a c y e r G
d o o w m a c d n a S
a g n i r y s d e R
a i l a n i m r e t r e v l i S
o l o h k o M
o t a n o M
o n o n o g o M
Plants may be good indicators for pedogenic
gravel. Makopong area.
Plants may be good indicators for pedogenic Plants may be good indicators for pedogenic
Chapter 4
Gravel Indicators
Roads Department
Interpretation of Maps and Photographs
4.4 Animal indicators
The activity of certain animals results in gravel particles, soil or stones
being brought to the surface. Examples are termites, porcupines, suricates,
ground squirrels (Sekate-Mosima), Ant eater (takadu) and serunya.
Examination of the material in termite mounds and anthills, and material
excavated from burrows should be carried out for indications of any
gravelly material brought to the surface.
Ant-hills may give valuable information for a
gravel prospector. Orapa area.
Ant-hills may give valuable information for a Ant-hills may give valuable information for a
Gravel Indicators
Roads Department
5 INTERPRETATION OF
MAPS AND
PHOTOGRAPHS
5.1 Introduction
The use of existing maps, aerial photographs and in certain instances,
satellite images are essential for a successful feld survey. These are best
utilised during the desk study when all possible sources of material can be
identifed.
Topographic and geological maps are most useful for prospectors as they
provide information about landform and parent materials. To a lesser
extent, agricultural soil maps can also be used.
Aerial photographs and satellite images are supplementary sources of
information as they show information additional to that contained in maps.
Maps and photographs, interpreted together, form the best combination for
identifying possible material sources.
5.2 Topographic maps
Medium- or large-scale topographic maps can indicate the landforms
associated with gravels. They also contain other useful information such
as roads, access, land-use, mines and quarries, development and water,
which could provide indications of potential sources of material and
assistance with appraisal of the area.
5.3 Geological maps
Geological maps are probably the most important source of preliminary
information available to a prospector. They indicate the parent materials
in the area and details such as quarries, faults, rock outcrops and igneous
intrusions. The types of weathering products can be inferred from this
information. All geological maps are accompanied by a narrative memoir.
Reference to these is recommended. A generalised geological map is given
in Figure 2.1.
The features of geological maps that prospectors need to be aware of are:
n The map shows the rocks as they would appear if all the superfcial
deposits such as soil or unconsolidated materials (e.g. thin windblown
sand and alluvium) were removed. However, very thick surface deposits
such as the sands of the Kalahari are shown because they are the
dominant material for all practical purposes.
n Geological maps rarely indicate the presence of gravel deposits. How-
ever, geological memoirs often contain information on the degree of
weathering or fracturing of the rocks and therefore indicate the possi-
bility of a suitable gravel source. Memoirs also describe superfcial
deposits such as pedogenic and coarse alluvial materials.
All interpreted features should be marked on a
base map to bring all information together and
to guide feldwork.
Topographic maps, aerial photographs, air photo
mosaics and information about other sources of
remote sensing aid is available from the Department
of Surveying and Mapping, Gaborone.
For additional information on terrain evaluation
and the interpretation of geological maps and
aerial photographs for materials location, refer to
the Terrain Evaluation Manual and Road building
materials in Botswana.
The 1:1 000 000 geological map of Botswana is
suffcient for an initial estimate of road construction
materials for the purposes of prospecting, and
more detail can be obtained from larger scale
geological maps. Regional geological maps are
usually published in conjunction with a report (or
memoir), describing the geology of the area in
detail. The Geological Survey in Lobatse may be
consulted for information on the availability of
geological maps.
Geological Map.
Chapter 5
Roads Department
n The map legend (the key to the rock types on the map) may identify
features that are related to gravel deposits, such as quartz veins, dykes
or alluvial materials.
Geological maps are used as follows:
i) Draw the road corridor on the geological map or a copy, in order to
determine the approximate chainages at which geological units cross
the road alignment. The 1:250 000 geological maps, usually appended
to the District Memoirs, are recommended for this exercise.
ii) Read the map legend and the accompanying geological report for any
mention of rocks that potentially contain gravel-sized weathering
products, such as gneiss with quartz veins. Note the geological
units within which these are found.
iii) Identify these geological units on the map, within the exploration
corridor. Pay particular attention to oddities on the map such as
minor igneous intrusions and unusually prominent hills (often
named). These features often contain gravels when the surrounding
country has none.
iv) Identify possible sources of material as detailed in Chapters 3 and 4
and from past experience.
v) Study the identifed areas of geological interest in aerial photographs
to pinpoint the locations most favourable for feld investigation.
5.4 Agricultural soil maps
Agricultural soil maps and reports give indications of the presence of
pedogenic gravels if these occur in the area. Agricultural soils maps are
not concerned with the deeper parts of the weathering profle or with
gravels specifcally, and therefore rarely contain information relating to
in situ gravels or transported gravels. However, as with a geological map,
it is worth reading the soil legend and regional soil report for mention of
features such as stony phase of a soil.
5.5 Remote sensing techniques
Aerial photographs and satellite images (collectively called remote sensing
systems) are valuable sources of information, which can be used for mate-
rial location. This information is obtained by fltering out aspects of the
landscape that are relevant to prospecting and using this to supplement the
information taken from maps.
5.5.1 Aerial photographs and interpretation
The resolution of aerial photographs is of high quality and every detail of
the ground surface down to one or a few metres in size is shown. Features
such as minor rock outcrops can be seen clearly. Aerial photographs are not
consistent in terms of scale. Change in scale within a photograph does not
affect interpretation, but this situation needs to be appreciated whenever
measurement or calculation of distance is involved.
Aerial photographs can be viewed in three dimensions, that is, slopes and
relief can be seen. The vertical relief in aerial photographs is exaggerated,
making slopes appear steeper than they really are. This characteristic is
an advantage because it enables very small changes of elevation, that
on the ground are barely discernible, to be seen. For example, in aerial
photographs one can readily recognise low relief landforms such as the
calcrete features in the Kalahari.
Black and white aerial photographs are the most
commonly used remote sensing technique for
gravel prospecting in Botswana.
Transferring information from aerial photographs
to maps is most easily done freehand to
overcome scale inconsistency. When using
aerial photographs for navigation in the feld,
distances measured from a photograph may only
be approximate.
Roads Department
Aerial photographs can be laid out and re-photographed as a single sheet,
called an air photo mosaic. Air photo mosaics are useful as compilation
sheets upon which to record the results of an air photo interpretation or
map interpretation exercise, especially in areas such as the Kalahari where
relief is very low and landmarks are few.
The air photo interpretation commences during the desk study.
Photographs covering the corridor to be investigated should be ordered
prior to commencement of the desk study. These should be interpreted in
parallel with the study of the maps.
When carrying out an interpretation, begin by making a note of the
following general characteristics of the terrain. Afterwards, look in detail
for the landforms described in Chapter 4.
i) Relief and landform.
Hill areas, rolling or undulating land, terraces, foodplains and low-
lying land. Look especially for relief features that are too small to be
shown on maps.
ii) Drainage.
n Note areas where drainage pattern is consistent, and boundaries
where one pattern changes to another. Boundaries between drain-
age patterns often signify geological boundaries.
n Note particularly areas where drainage is absent (indicating highly
permeable soils), or consists of parallel streams or straight stream
courses (rock is controlling the stream pattern and is therefore near
the surface).
iii) Vegetation and land use.
Although it is not possible at normal air photo scales to distinguish indi-
vidual plant species such as gravel indicator plants, plant communities
of a type that may contain indicator plants are often identifable.
iv) Human features
Farm boundaries, mining companies fences and buildings give indica-
tions of the extent of properties and where the owners may be contacted.
Based on all of the information gathered above, as well as that gathered
from maps, identify possible prospecting sites.
During the desk study:
i) Identify a spot on the aerial photograph that appears to be most typical
of the whole site, or that seems to offer the best prospect of fnding
material.
ii) Identify routes of access to the prospecting sites if these are not clear
from the topographic map.
iii) Mark all interpreted features on the base map or directly onto the
photos using a thin wax pencil.
These photographs are then used during the feld study to:
n Locate the sites identifed during the desk study. These sites should be
inspected and a decision made as to whether to investigate further. This
decision will be based on the indicators discussed previously.
n Determine the extent of the deposit and to set the position of trial pits
within the site. If a decision is made to investigate the site in more
detail, trial pits will have to be excavated.
n Plan the site investigation programme based on the information being
gathered.
The basic skills of air photo interpretation are not
diffcult to learn, but require some training when
getting started. This is particularly important in a
fat and featureless terrain such as the Kalahari.
Reference is made to the stereoscopic aerial
photographs illustrating landform features in
Chapter 4.
Proper care of aerial photographs is important.
They are expensive to buy and may be needed
for use by others at a later date. Annotate the
photographs with a wax pencil (chinagraph)
only. Wax pencil can be easily removed with
cotton wool moistened with a little alcohol.
Do not use an ordinary pencil or pen - this will
make marks on the photograph that cannot be
removed.
Aerial photographs are easily scratched and
stained by dust and dirt left on the surface. This
is especially true of photographs taken into the
feld. In the feld, keep them clean and dry. Have
as few as possible in use at any one time and
keep those that are in use covered, in a plastic
bag for example. Brush off dust gently with a
dry cloth. Store the remaining photographs in a
closed fle away from dust.
Chapter 5
Roads Department
5.5.2 Satellite images and interpretation
Satellite images are similar to aerial photographs in the sense that they,
too, are vertical pictures of the earths surface showing landform, drainage
patterns and vegetation cover, but on a much smaller scale.
Satellite images are planimetrically fairly accurate, more so than air photo
mosaics. They can be used to make measurements of direction and distance,
and can act as a base map when a topographic map is not available.
The use of a satellite image will strengthen a desk study in the following
ways:
n The very large area covered shows an overview of the area under study,
and may reveal terrain patterns that are not shown in maps or air photos.
For example, the fossil drainage patterns in the Kalahari show up much
better on satellite images than on any other form of presentation.
n Satellite images show differences in colour of soils, rocks and vege-
tation communities. It should be noted that these are not true colours
because the satellite sees a broader range of colours than does the
human eye. However, this does not affect interpretation.
n Specialised digital image processing techniques can be used to bring out
information that normally is very hard to see. Such processing is avail-
able from the Satellite Applications Centre (SAC) in South Africa or
from a consultant.
n The characteristics of optical satellite imagery are in many ways com-
plementary to those of aerial photographs. This is illustrated by a com-
parison of the satellite images and air photos in the Plates. Ideally, the
two types of imagery should be used in conjunction to take advantage
of this fact.
The smallest scale of satellite image that should be considered for
interpretation is 1:500 000, although 1:250 000 images are preferred.
However, sub-scenes can be produced to order, at any specifed scale.
As with aerial photographs, interpretation of satellite images is done
essentially on the basis of the shape of objects (including their size and
context), in colour but without the beneft of a stereoscopic view. The
unreal appearance of the false colours is often problematical. However, the
most important aspect of colour in satellite images is that areas of colour
similarity or colour differences are clearly shown.
Satellite images are most useful for the featureless Kalahari region. The
colour information varies according to the ground characteristics and can
be used for the following purposes:
n To help in the identifcation of landforms. Colour in combination with
shape is very good for interpretation. Some landforms show up very
clearly, such as the ancient beach ridges associated with the Makgadikgadi
Pans.
n To distinguish terrain features that have no landform but are a distinctive
colour, such as grey sand areas (which contrast with the surrounding
red sands).
n To help identify terrain features that are very indistinct and tend to blend
in with their surroundings, such as the upper reaches of fossil drainage
lines.
n To distinguish terrain features that are obvious but very small, such as
minor calcrete pans.
Satellite pictures are referred to technically as
images rather than photographs because
they are collected by electronic sensors, not by
a camera. The use of satellite images requires
more experience than the use of air photos.
Landsat image - fossil drainage channels (blue)
also showing Sekoma pan (red).
Landsat image - fossil drainage channels (blue) Landsat image - fossil drainage channels (blue)
Landsat - grey sand. Sekoma colour PC image.
Roads Department
Figure 5.1. Landsat extract. Sekoma Pan plus pixel extract in top right.
Figure 5.2. Aerial photo - Sekoma pan and part of Sekoma - Kang road before it was bituminised. Aerial photo - Sekoma pan and part of Sekoma - Kang road before it was bituminised. Aerial photo - Sekoma pan and part of Sekoma - Kang road before it was bituminised.
Chapter 6
Survey Methodology
Roads Department
Survey Methodology
6 SURVEY
METHODOLOGY
6.1 Introduction
The interpretation of background information constitutes the desk study,
which is essential to carry out a cost-effective and successful feld survey.
The results of the desk study are analysed and collated onto a base map,
laying the foundation for the feld survey. The information is used to plan
the feld surveys and guide the survey work.
6.2 Desk study
The desk study is carried out to collate information about the project itself,
the site and the materials in the area from published and sometimes unpub-
lished sources, in order to plan the feld survey. It forms the frst stage of
project planning and is undertaken at the offce prior to any feldwork. The
issues covered in the desk study are:
n Project briefng.
n Interpretation of background information: maps, aerial photographs,
satellite images, reports and prospectors previous experience.
n Collation of the information onto a base map.
n Planning the feld survey including resources and logistics.
6.2.1 Project briefng
This establishes the purpose for which the materials will be used and the
quantity required. The prospector, engineer, project manager and other
relevant stakeholders meet to discuss the following details regarding the
project:
n Location and length.
n The volume and quality (specifcation) of the materials required.
n The desired spacing of sources.
n The resources and amount of time available for the materials survey
to be completed.
This information is provided as part of the normal project briefng. Its
importance lies in the fact that the prospector is given a clear indication of
the scope of his task.
Environmental factors must be considered. The presence of reserved areas
(e.g. game parks) and rehabilitation requirements may place restrictions on
the size, spacing or management of borrow pits. Any such restrictions will
have to be planned into the extraction programme from the beginning.
The duration and input of the desk study is
related to the complexity and extent of the
project.
Proper planning is essential for a successful
material prospecting survey.
Proper planning is essential for a successful Proper planning is essential for a successful
Survey Methodology
Survey Methodology
Roads Department
6.2.2 Interpretation of background information
Background information on geology, soils, climate, relief etc., comes from
maps, remotely sensed images and reports describing the area in which the
road is to be built. Thus, information about the project area is assembled
and analysed as discussed in the preceding chapters.
Information is often available from projects constructed elsewhere in the
region. This typically comprises:
n The types of materials that were found.
n Availability of materials.
n The general engineering characteristics of materials in the region, such
as their overall quality, volume per pit and the thickness of the over-
burden.
n Materials location techniques used and known indicators of material
identifed.
n Landforms in which the material was located.
6.2.3 Collation of information
During the desk study, the following procedure (in check list form) should be
followed for prospecting for any material for any type of road project:
i) Obtain two sets of 1:50 000 topographic maps covering the route
corridor. One set of these will be used as base maps for collation of
information coming from various sources during the desk study. The
other is for general project use and navigation in the feld.
ii) Mark out the route corridor on the base maps.
iii) Confrm the material requirements in terms of both quality and
quantity for the project.
iv) Establish land use, land ownership and potential environmental con-
straints within the route corridor.
v) Obtain relevant materials investigation reports for previous projects
from the Central Materials Laboratory or any other appropriate
source.
vi) Discuss material types and existing and potential sources with district
maintenance supervisors and other people with experience of the area.
Establish whether there is suffcient gravel at existing and known
sources. If not, continue with the study.
vii) Obtain geological maps, agricultural soils maps, aerial photographs
and, if necessary, satellite images, as well as any past records for this
and other roads in the area.
viii) Determine the coordinates of existing gravel sources and locate these
on the base maps, photographs and images. Note the terrain features
at these coordinates and then look for other similar features elsewhere
along the proposed corridor. Transfer the information to the base map.
ix) Examine the topographic maps, looking for the occurrence of any of
the landforms associated with gravel in hard rock regions, and pans
in Kalahari regions, as described in Chapter 4. Transfer the infor-
mation to the base map.
x) If the proposed route is in a hard rock area, examine the geological
maps for rock types that are likely to yield suitable gravel, plus other
indications interpreted from the map legend and accompanying geo-
logical report. Transfer the information to the base map.
xi) Study the aerial photographs (in stereoscopic mode) in conjunction
Information coming from past surveys cannot
always be related directly to the current survey.
Chapter 6
Survey Methodology
Roads Department
Survey Methodology
with information from the topographic, geological and agricultural
soil maps to identify landforms associated with gravel. Make a note
of all features, no matter how small, and mark their location and
extent on the base map. In Kalahari regions, examine the pans and
identify those that contain a calcrete platform around the rim, as well
as those that do not. If there are no large pans, or not enough to fll
the needs of the project, a more intensive study of gravel-bearing
features will be required, to identify smaller ones. The use of satellite
imagery may be useful at this stage. This will enable a large area to
be evaluated quickly, and to take advantage of colour to distinguish
subtle landforms.
xii) Transfer all relevant information to the base map and identify the best
potential sites, as well as the best location to begin feld work and the
route to follow.
xiii) Obtain the necessary permission or authorisation to prospect.
xiv) Contact the landowners to make the necessary arrangements for
access to properties during the reconnaissance visit.
xv) Establish the most appropriate method for the feld survey.
Indications of this by physiographic unit are provided in Table 6.1.
By the end of the desk study, locations of potential sources of material (and
their appropriate indicators) should be known and transferred to the base
map. As a summary, Figure 6.1 gives an overview of the process guiding
the prospector towards the types of material he can expect to fnd.
1:50 000 topographic mapping is the best form
of base map to use in Botswanas rock regions,
because there are numerous relief and terrain
features to relate to. However, in the featureless
sand regions, topographic maps tend to contain
large blank areas and it is diffcult to pinpoint a
position without using a nearby road intersection
or pan as a guide. In the sand regions air photo
mosaics or satellite images may be more useful
for feld orientation, because they show small and
indistinct ground features that can be used for
navigation.
If GPS (Global Positioning System) equipment
is being used to obtain a fx of ground positions,
it is important to carry a base map that contains
geographical co-ordinates, so that the GPS
waypoints can be accurately transferred to the
map. Note that not all air photo mosaics include
a co-ordinate grid. The cartographic accuracy
is lower than on published maps, so transferred
waypoints will only be approximate. When using
GPS in conjunction with a topographic map,
make sure to set the co-ordinate system in the
GPS to be the same as that of the map
Table 6.1 Appropriate methods for feld survey.
g n i t c e p s o r P
s n o i g e r
y g o l o d o h t e M
s n o i g e r
y d u t s k s e D y e v r u s d l e i F
s n o i g e r
s n o i g e r
a 1 1 1 2 1 3 2 3 2 2 1
b 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 1 1
c 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 3 2 2 2
a 2 2 1 2 1 1 3 3 2 2 3
b 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 3 2 3 3
c 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1
d 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 3 2 3 3
a 3 3 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1
b 3 3 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1
c 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1
d 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1
e 3 2 2 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 1
f 3 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2
g 3 1 1 3 1 2 1 2 1 1 2
t i f e n e b l a n i g r a m f O . 3 l u f e s U . 2 d e d n e m m o c e r y l g n o r t S . 1
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Survey Methodology
Survey Methodology
Roads Department

Figure 6.1 Flow chart summary of desk study activities leading to early assessement of
gravel types to be found.
Figure 6.1 Figure 6.1 Flow chart summary of desk study activities leading to early assessement of Flow chart summary of desk study activities leading to early assessement of
Chapter 6
Survey Methodology
Roads Department
Survey Methodology
6.2.4 Planning the feld survey
The following three issues are important when planning the feld survey:
i) Plan the logistics of the survey, of which an important aspect is the
tools and techniques to be used especially with regard to the use of
labour or equipment intensive methods. If labour is used, transport
ation, accommodation, food, water and sanitation will also have to
be arranged. If work is to be conducted in environmentally sensitive
areas the survey plan must take account of restrictions placed on the
exploration programme.
ii) Suffcient sample bags, marking pens and labels must be included with
the equipment, and arrangements must be made to transport the samp-
les to the laboratory. Sample sizes must be in accordance with the
requirements of the Botswana Road Design Manual.
iii) The prospecting team should consist of experienced technicians and
assistants to maximise chances of success in fnding gravel. The team
should have a minimum of the following personnel:
n Project manager. The project manager should be a qualifed Engi-
neer or Engineering Geologist with a suffcient experience in mate-
rials prospecting. The project manager is not expected to stay in
the feld for the entire investigation but should at least assist in the
reconnaissance survey and soil profling and visit the team as and
when the need arises.
n Team leader. The team leader should be a qualifed Technician with
suffcient experience in gravel prospecting, testing and profling.
His role includes the day to day running and management of the
feld crew.
n Materials assistants must be experienced in gravel searches and
should know the specifc area. They are responsible for the direct
supervision of labourers and for managing smaller crews from
the team. On large projects, at least two Material Assistants should
be included in the team to supervise labour groups.
n Labourers should be sourced from the nearest village. The number
of labourers required will depend on the size and time constraints
of the project.
n Camp keeper. The need for a camp keeper should be assessed by
the Team Leader depending on the state of security in the area.

n Field equipment. The Team Leader should ensure that all resources
and equipment needed in the feld are provided. The equipment and
tools will differ from one project to the other but the following are
some of the basic needs that should be budgeted for:
Vehicles for transporting workers to and from the feld every day
as well a transporting samples to the camp. Bigger trucks can be
sourced when the need arise to transport samples to the laboratory.
Some areas such as the Kgalagadi region would require four-wheel
drive vehicles.
Other necessary equipment include, picks and shovels, geologist
hammer, sample bags capable of holding 20 kg of soil, water con-
tainer or water cat, camping equipment, pens, wax pencils, sample
labels, measuring tapes (long say at least 50 m and short say 5m
long), campus or GPS, frstaid kit including, snake bit kit, portable
Typical equipment for feld surveys includes,
picks and shovels, geologist hammer, water
containers, camping equipment, portable toilets,
measuring tapes, compass, GPS, frst aid kit,
snake bit kit, Munsell colour disk, calcrete probe,
step ladder, note books, data sheets and a trunk
for the safe keeping of data.
An important aspect of any survey is to
become sensitive to the terrain indicators.
An important aspect of any survey is to An important aspect of any survey is to
Landform changes can be very subtle, even in
areas of normal relief. It may take several days
Landform changes can be very subtle, even in Landform changes can be very subtle, even in
to acquire this sensitivity, especially in an area
areas of normal relief. It may take several days areas of normal relief. It may take several days
like the Kalahari where the landforms are very
to acquire this sensitivity, especially in an area to acquire this sensitivity, especially in an area
low and dispersed.
like the Kalahari where the landforms are very like the Kalahari where the landforms are very
Refer to Netterberg 1996 & 1978b for details on
how to use a calcrete probe and hand augers.
Survey Methodology
Survey Methodology
Roads Department
toilets where required, Munsell colour disk, calcrete probe
where required, step ladder for use on deep pits, note books, a set
of data sheets, stationary and a trunk for the safe keeping of data.
6.3 The feld survey
The most successful feld survey procedure is to systematically traverse the
route relating the information on the map prepared during the desk study to
the prospecting corridor.
During a feld survey, a calcrete probe, DCP or hand auger are useful for
providing a quick indication of success before following up with more time
consuming trial pitting. The calcrete probe is the most suitable instrument
for locating pedogenic materials beneath a sand cover. After probing, the
depth should be recorded and the tip of the probe should be examined
to identify the likely calcrete type A summary of the interpretation is
provided in Table 6.2.
6.3.1 Reconnaissance survey
The reconnaissance survey is recommended to familiarise the prospector
with the project area. It is usually carried out as part of the detailed
investigation, but can be done as a separate trip. Its main purpose is to
familiarise the prospector with the corridor, mark the existing pits and
potential sites identifed during the desk study as well as to note any other
potential sites that may have been missed. The detailed study can then be
planned in order to optimise resources. The purpose of the reconnaissance
survey as opposed to the detailed investigation is clarifed in Table 6.3.
Dilute hydrochloric acid can be used to indicate
carbonate at depth on termite mounds and soil
around animal burrows.
Table 6.2 Interpretation of calcrete probe result (modifed from Netterberg 1996).
n o i t a r t e n e P
e c n a t s i s e r
p i t e b o r p e t e r c l a C
e c n a r a e p p a
e p y t e t e r c l a c y l e k i L
e n o n t s o m l a m r o f s e i r a V
w e f a n i h t i w l a s u f e r o t
s r e t e m
- i s e r e l t t i l f i t i s o p e d o N
k n i p e l a p r o e t i h w ; e c n a t s
; l a s u f e r n o r u o l o c t o n n a c
s r e g n i f h t i w f f o d e b b u r e b .
h t i w d e x i m d n a s e s o o L
e t e r c l a c r e d l u o b
l a s u f e R ; r u o l o c e l a p r o e t i h W
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. s r e g n i f
- l a c r e d l u o b r o n a p d r a H
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e c n a t s i s e r h g i H ; r u o l o c k n i p e l a p r o e t i h W
s r e g n i f .
r a l u d o n d r a h , e s o o L
r o n a p d r a h f f i t s , e t e r c l a c
d n a s d e i f i c l a c
e c n a t s i s e r h g i h o t r i a F ; e v u a m e l a P e b t o n n a c
. s r e g n i f h t i w f f o d e b b u r
n a p d r a h s u o e c a f u T
e t e r c l a c
e c n a t s i s e r r i a F o t w o L ; e t i h W d e b b u r e b t o n n a c
. s r e g n i f h t i w f f o
e t e r c l a c r e d w o P
e c n a t s i s e r w o L ; t i s o p e d y d n a s e t i h W
h t i w f f o d e b b u r y l i s a e
s r e g n i f
. l i o s s u o e r a c l a C
y e v r u s e c n a s s i a n n o c e R y e v r u s d e l i a t e D
e h t f o w e i v r e v o n a n i a t b o o t s i e s o p r u P
s l a i r e t a m f o n o i t u b i r t s i d d n a s e p y t
d n a , r o d i r r o c e t u o r e l o h w e h t n i h t i w
. s e t i s y f i t n e d i o t . e . i , e d i s t u o y l b i s s o p
f o d r o c e r d e l i a t e d e k a m o t s i e s o p r u P
- e t a m f o s e c r u o s e t a i r p o r p p a t s o m e h t
- i t s e v n i o t . e . i , d n a h n i t c e j o r p e h t r o f l a i r
e c n a s s i a n n o c e r n i d e i f i t n e d i s e t i s e t a g
. y e v r u s
o t , y l k c i u q d e r e v o c e r a s e c n a t s i d e g r a L
. s e t i s l a i t n e t o p f o w e i v r e v o n a n i a t b o
s a t i s i v o t y r a s s e c e n s a d e i r a v s i e t u o R
a e r a e h t n i h t i w e l b i s s o p s a s e t i s y n a m
. h c r a e s f o
, y l l a c i d o h t e m d e r e v o c e r a s e t i s e h T
s i e t u o R . l i a t e d e r o m h c u m n i e r o f e r e h t
o t e t i s e n o m o r f s s e r g o r p o t d e n n a l p
. t x e n e h t
, y r a s s e c e n s a n e k a t e r a s e l p m a S
e h t f o n o i t a c i f i c e p s e h t r o f e t a i r p o r p p a
. t c e j o r p e h t f o t x e t n o c e h t n i l a i r e t a m
Usually no samples are taken.
The type of calcrete material may be indentifed
at the tip of the probe.
The type of calcrete material may be indentifed The type of calcrete material may be indentifed
Chapter 6
Survey Methodology
Roads Department
Survey Methodology
Table 6.3 Differences between reconnaissance surveys and detailed surveys.
The following procedure, in the form of a checklist, is recommended for the
reconnaissance survey:
i) Begin the traverse of the road or the proposed alignment approxi-
mately 2 km before the actual start (there may be very good material
at the beginning of the project). Continually refer to the base map and
aerial photographs.
ii) The frst traverse should confrm the conclusions drawn during the desk
study. Visit existing gravel sources and potential sites identifed from
geological maps, aerial photographs and satellite imagery. Use GPS to
determine their locations. Estimate the areal extent and available
quantities without excavation. This can be done with simple tech-
niques such as a calcrete probe or a DCP.
iii) Identify any signifcant geomorphological, soil or vegetation charac-
teristics at existing borrow pits that can be used to indicate similar
sources elsewhere along the route. Identify these characteristics on the
maps and aerial photographs and look for similar features else where
on the images.
iv) Study the geomorphology and decide which areas are likely to have
a high potential for material - e.g. pan rims, scree slopes and drainage
channels.
v) Study the vegetation and note any signifcant changes, such as species
groupings or changes in plant characteristics (e.g. shape, height, form).
vi) Note factors pertaining to accessibility of each site.
vii) List GPS co-ordinates of potential sites and summarise the observ-
ations.
viii) Plot new sites on the sketch map. Review the pattern of pits on the
map to see if the pits lie in clusters or straight lines, which would help
in showing where to look for additional material.
ix) Record other important information including thickness of overburden,
ease of access, distance to nearest source of water, distance to nearest
supplies and distance to nearest fuel.
x) Update the base map accordingly.
In the Okavango delta good materials are
scarse and the located borrow pit area may
In the Okavango delta good materials are In the Okavango delta good materials are
change signifcally, depending on material
scarse and the located borrow pit area may scarse and the located borrow pit area may
quality.
change signifcally, depending on material change signifcally, depending on material
Pans in the Okavango area does not
necessarily yeild good gravel.
Pans in the Okavango area does not Pans in the Okavango area does not
In a featureless area landforms can be very
diffcult to identify. Tsabong area.
In a featureless area landforms can be very In a featureless area landforms can be very
Light helicopters have been used successfully
in material prospecting. Tsau area.
Light helicopters have been used successfully Light helicopters have been used successfully
n o i t a r t e n e P
e c n a t s i s e r
p i t e b o r p e t e r c l a C
e c n a r a e p p a
e p y t e t e r c l a c y l e k i L
e n o n t s o m l a m r o f s e i r a V
w e f a n i h t i w l a s u f e r o t
s r e t e m
- i s e r e l t t i l f i t i s o p e d o N
k n i p e l a p r o e t i h w ; e c n a t s
; l a s u f e r n o r u o l o c t o n n a c
s r e g n i f h t i w f f o d e b b u r e b .
h t i w d e x i m d n a s e s o o L
e t e r c l a c r e d l u o b
l a s u f e R ; r u o l o c e l a p r o e t i h W
. s r e g n i f
- l a c r e d l u o b r o n a p d r a H
e l b a k c i p n u y l b a b o r p , e t e r c
e c n a t s i s e r h g i H ; r u o l o c k n i p e l a p r o e t i h W
s r e g n i f .
r a l u d o n d r a h , e s o o L
r o n a p d r a h f f i t s , e t e r c l a c
d n a s d e i f i c l a c
e c n a t s i s e r h g i h o t r i a F ; e v u a m e l a P e b t o n n a c
. s r e g n i f h t i w f f o d e b b u r
n a p d r a h s u o e c a f u T
e t e r c l a c
e c n a t s i s e r r i a F o t w o L ; e t i h W d e b b u r e b t o n n a c
. s r e g n i f h t i w f f o
e t e r c l a c r e d w o P
e c n a t s i s e r w o L ; t i s o p e d y d n a s e t i h W
h t i w f f o d e b b u r y l i s a e
s r e g n i f
. l i o s s u o e r a c l a C
y e v r u s e c n a s s i a n n o c e R y e v r u s d e l i a t e D
e h t f o w e i v r e v o n a n i a t b o o t s i e s o p r u P
s l a i r e t a m f o n o i t u b i r t s i d d n a s e p y t
d n a , r o d i r r o c e t u o r e l o h w e h t n i h t i w
. s e t i s y f i t n e d i o t . e . i , e d i s t u o y l b i s s o p
f o d r o c e r d e l i a t e d e k a m o t s i e s o p r u P
- e t a m f o s e c r u o s e t a i r p o r p p a t s o m e h t
- i t s e v n i o t . e . i , d n a h n i t c e j o r p e h t r o f l a i r
e c n a s s i a n n o c e r n i d e i f i t n e d i s e t i s e t a g
. y e v r u s
o t , y l k c i u q d e r e v o c e r a s e c n a t s i d e g r a L
. s e t i s l a i t n e t o p f o w e i v r e v o n a n i a t b o
s a t i s i v o t y r a s s e c e n s a d e i r a v s i e t u o R
a e r a e h t n i h t i w e l b i s s o p s a s e t i s y n a m
. h c r a e s f o
, y l l a c i d o h t e m d e r e v o c e r a s e t i s e h T
s i e t u o R . l i a t e d e r o m h c u m n i e r o f e r e h t
o t e t i s e n o m o r f s s e r g o r p o t d e n n a l p
. t x e n e h t
, y r a s s e c e n s a n e k a t e r a s e l p m a S
e h t f o n o i t a c i f i c e p s e h t r o f e t a i r p o r p p a
. t c e j o r p e h t f o t x e t n o c e h t n i l a i r e t a m
Usually no samples are taken.
Survey Methodology
Survey Methodology
Roads Department
xi) Draw up a plan for the detailed study, prioritising the most suitable
sites according to the required material qualities and quantities. Iden-
tify a second set of sites in case the frst selection proves to be unsuc-
cessful.
If the area in which the reconnaissance is carried out is fat and featureless,
it is possible that the ground reconnaissance survey will be diffcult, if not
unsuccessful. In such cases, an aerial visual survey should be considered. A
helicopter or ultralight aircraft should be used for the survey. Normal fxed-
wing light aircraft are not suitable as they are too fast to allow inspection of
potential sites. Although expensive, it is very quick and the costs incurred
are usually considerably less than lengthy ground surveys that often miss
potential gravel sources. The following procedure is recommended:
i) The aircraft should be fown approximately 200m above the ground
along the proposed alignment.
ii) Any abnormalities in micro-topography (e.g. pan rim), vegetation
(distinct change of species, dense thicket of one or two species,
change in plant morphology (e.g. stunted or multi-stemmed)) or soil
colour should be sought to the left or right of the route alignment.
iii) Once observed, the aircraft is fown to these areas and a closer inspec-
tion is made from the air while circling the area. If a suitable area is
available, the aircraft can be landed and a closer inspection made of
the site with a probe. If landing is not possible, GPS co-ordinates
should be taken and the site revisited after the aerial survey has been
completed.
iv) Once a site has been inspected, the aircraft is fown back to the route
alignment and the fight along the route is continued until a new
potential site is observed.
v) Since it is diffcult to write in a helicopter or ultralight aircraft, a
pocket tape recorder should be used for capturing verbal descrip-
tions during the fight and for noting GPS co-ordinates or waypoints.
Depending on the stability of the aircraft, photographs can be taken of
potential sites and studied in more detail on the ground.
Start @
- 2km
First traverse -
confirm desk study
Identify specific features
Second traverse -
- locate new sites
- select best sites
Update base map
Prepare sampling plan
Ultralight aircraft is useful in material
prospecting.
View from a ultralight aircraft.
Chapter 6
Survey Methodology
Roads Department
Evaluation of a Gravel Source
6.3.2 Detailed survey
The detailed survey involves the evaluation of the potential gravel sources
at the sites judged to be most appropriate for the project. The process to be
followed is provided in Chapter 7.
Start
Fly along road centre line Identify specific features
Fly to area -
- confirm features
- take GPS coodinates
Return to road
Centre line
Return to route
alignment
Prepare sampling plan
Complete?
Prepare ground survey plan
No
Yes
Survey Methodology
Roads Department
The thickness of overburden is important to
identify. Large coste are involud in removing a
The thickness of overburden is important to The thickness of overburden is important to
thick layer of overburden. Tsau area.
identify. Large coste are involud in removing a identify. Large coste are involud in removing a
Similar for the gravel layer. If not properly
indentifed the material source may be ruined
Similar for the gravel layer. If not properly Similar for the gravel layer. If not properly
during stock piling. Tsau area.
indentifed the material source may be ruined indentifed the material source may be ruined
The trial pitting and sampling are expected to
show the variability and quality of the material.
Variability can occur in all planes and will not be
the same for each property tested. It is obvious
that the more samples taken the better the
chance of arriving at a reasonable statistical view
of the quality of the material. However, there is
practical limit as to how much can be sampled
and tested.
7 EVALUATION OF A
GRAVEL SOURCE
7.1 Introduction
The process of searching for suitable gravel sources culminates with the
evaluation and proving of the identifed potential construction material
source. The objective of this part of the investigation is to establish:
n The areal extent of a potential gravel source.
n The thickness and hence quantity of the identifed deposit.
n The characteristics of the identifed deposit (i.e. in which layer they
can be used).
n The type and properties of the overlying material.
n The thickness and hence volume of the overburden.
A fow diagram showing the overall procedure is given in Figure 6.3.
Ground investigation is a potentially hazardous activity and accidents with
hand tools, diggers, etc can easily happen. All staff should be aware of the
dangers.
7.2 Detailed feld study
For each potential source identifed, the following procedure should be
followed:
n Demarcate the approximate areal extent of the site with stakes. This
can be determined with a calcrete probe or DCP. In sandy areas, the
calcrete probe should also be used to determine the thickness of the
overburden.
n Identify the source with a unique location number, its chainage from
the start of the route and the chainage offset from the centreline.
n Lay out a 50 m staggered grid. The grid pattern may be reduced to a
25 m spacing in one or both directions if the material within the potential
source changes in a short distance. The grid can be aligned in any dir-
ection convenient to cover the shape of the deposit. Setting out of the
trial pits should be carefully planned taking the characteristics of the
site, such as vegetation and rock exposure, into consideration. Trial
pitting should also encompass as much of the potential borrow pit as is
necessary to establish the deposits extent and variability.
n Record the grid pattern with holes running in one direction left to right
being labelled A, B, C, D, etc and holes running perpendicular to this
(i.e. top to bottom) being numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. Trial pits should be
selected statistically (preferably on a stratifed systematic herring bone
pattern) and would then be numbered A.1, A.2.B.1, B.2..D.1,
D.2 etc. This shown in fgure 7.2.
Chapter 7
Roads Department
The use of a grid system ensures a well co-
ordinated study and simplifes the location of
each trial pit. The system also facilitates selective
stockpiling if different areas of the borrow pit are
recommended for different pavement layers.
There are several sampling patterns:
A) Systematic, (square or rectangular grid);
B) Stratifed random;
C) Unaligned stratifed systematic, (or herring bone);
D) Random;
E) Judgmental.
In the latter method the sampler decides according to his own judgement
where to dig the trial pits. The method does not guard against human
bias and some good areas of gravel may be overlooked and not sampled.
The sampling patterns of the other methods are shown in Figure 7.1
Figure 7.1. Illustration of varieous sampling pattern.
Of these designs the unaligned stratifed systematic, based on a herring
bone pattem is the most effective i.e. it is most likely to detect differences
in the gravel using the least amount trial pits. The application of the
herring bone pattern requires that the site is divided into cells and each
alternate cell has a fxed point for a trial pit.
This pattern requires a little more care in setting
out, but if the odd number cells are set out at 1 00
metres intervals frst, and then the even number
cells are set out midway of the odd numbers but
displaced the herring bone pattern will be set out
very simply.
Roads Department
When a pit is dug to a depth greater than about
2 m, there is a danger of the sides collapsing.
The team leader should assess the risk of this
happening and take all practical steps to prevent
it, such as providing support for the sides. Pits
dug below the water table should be avoided, but
where unavoidable they must be fully braced.
Digging a trial pit for sampling. It is importent
to make the pit large enough for proper
Digging a trial pit for sampling. It is importent Digging a trial pit for sampling. It is importent
sampling and identifcation.
to make the pit large enough for proper to make the pit large enough for proper
Project:
Borrow Pit number
Chainage:
setu2
A B
50m
KM 25,375
Francistown Sebina Date:
Geographical Co-ordinates:
Offset:
5/09/96
700m LHS
C D E
1
2
3
5
0
m
4
5
0.3/0.9
0.2/0.9 0.1/0.8 0.1/0.9
0.4/0.6 0.2/0.5 0.3/0.8
0.2/0.9 0.2/0.6 0.4/0.6
0.2/0.8 0.4/0.7
0.3/0.9
0.4/0.9
Trial Pit sampled
0.1/0.9 OB/Gravel thickness
0.1/0.9
0.3/0.8 0.2/0.7 0.1/0.7
Rock outcrop
0.2/0.7
0.1/0.9 0.2/0.7 0.3/0.8
0.3/0.8
0.3/0.8
Trial Pit Not sampled
Areas of similar "gravel properties" as per pit logs
Clayey silty SAND
Clayey sandy GRAVEL decomp Gneiss
Highly decomposed Gneiss
40 000m2
10 000m2
28 000m2
labour Pick & shovel
Underlying material ripable with a dozer
W.D. Motsorri
Overburden:
"Gravel" Type:
Underlaying material:
"Gravel":
Overburden:
Area to be used:
Trial pitting by:
Remarks:
Surveyed by:
Estimated Quantities:
0.2/0.8
Figure 7.2. Typical layout of trial pits.
Chapter 7
Roads Department
n Excavate a pit to the bottom of the suitable material. This can be done
either manually or by machine depending on the particular circum-
stance of the project. The width of the pit will vary depending on the
excavation method. Ensure that the necessary safety precautions are
taken during excavation and examination of the pit.
n Describe the soil profle in detail using the standard Jennings, Brink
and Williams (1973) method. Profling is described in more detail in
Section 7.3 below. Profling must include the overburden and the
ratio of overburden thickness to gravel thickness should be recorded.
During profling, identify the horizons that are potentially suitable for
meeting the material requirements of the road design.
n Collect suffciently large samples of material for the intended tests.
Sampling is discussed in more detail in Section 7.4 below. Place the
sampled material in bags (it is suggested that high quality sewn
canvas bags are used for sampling) and carefully label each bag
ensuring that the label is permanent. Label tags should be placed in
a transparent waterproof plastic bag before being placed inside the
sample bag to avoid moisture damage. Information on the label must
include the following:
l Project name
l Date
l Source location number (see ii above)
l Trial pit number (see iv above)
l Depth
l Type of material
l Name of person sampling
The samples should be carefully handled and dispatched to the labora-
tory as soon as possible.
n Reinstate the pits with similar quality material from within the staked
area. Remember that this material may be used in the road and there-
fore deleterious material from outside the staked area should not be
used for backfll. If the pits have to be left open for more than one day,
they should be clearly identifed with hazard tape or covered with
wood to prevent people or animals from falling into them.
n Estimate the volume of gravel in the source. To do this, determine
the mean thickness of the gravel and multiply it by the areal extent of
the source. Estimation of quantities is discussed in more detail in
Section 7.5.
n Draw a detailed sketch map of the area and include the following:
l Distance from the road or proposed alignment.
l Potential access routes.
l GPS co-ordinates if available.
l Trial pit grid and location of pits that were sampled. Also
include any additional information gathered from calcrete
probe or DCP penetrations.
l Pertinent features such as outcrops, anthills, big trees
(which may be protected by order), streams, etc.
l North direction marker.
n List any potential problems that may affect the exploitation of the pit
such as boulders, presence of water, etc on the sketch map.
n List any environmental factors of concern in the area.
The survey site should be kept clean and all
litter should be collected and returned to the
The survey site should be kept clean and all The survey site should be kept clean and all
camp for appropriate disposal.
Roads Department
n Where necessary list the names of landowners e.g. if the potential
gravel source is in a feld or farm or affects other land users.
n Mark the position of each potential borrow area on the 1:50 000
topographic map which serves as the working map.
Repeat this process for each identifed potential source. When each source
has been evaluated, add the estimated total volume from each source and
compare this fgure with the project requirements. Remember to make
suffcient allowances for compaction or bulking and wastage (e.g. oversize).
Chapter 7
Roads Department
7.3 Trial pit logging
The frst stage of material classifcation is an accurate description and
measurement of material thickness encountered within the trial pit, i.e.
logging or profling. The trial pit log is a record of the vertical succession
of the different layers of soil as they occur at any particular location of
a potential borrow area. The description should be detailed enough to
facilitate the acceptance or rejection of the area for further evaluation,
while the measurement of the thickness of each stratum provides for
estimation of quantities on the basis of which the area may be rejected
or accepted. If done properly therefore, the soil profle provides basic
information for the approximate quantitative assessment of properties of
the material.
For the safety of digging labourers and the profler, a code of practice such
as South African Institution of Civil Engineers (1980) must be adhered to.
Generally, holes dug as per code of practice have a low risk of collapse,
es-pecially above the water table. Extra care should, however, be taken
when profling below the water table and in cohesionless sands such as
Kgalagadi sands where the trial holes tend to be more than two metres
deep. A com-petent and experienced person must be in charge of trial
pitting and the entire site investigation in order to ensure the safety of the
workers.
The profling should be done in terms of its Moisture condition, Colour,
Consistency, Structure, Soil texture and Origin (MCCSSO) as detailed
by Jennings, Brink and Williams (1973). Basic equipment for profling
includes:
n Measuring tape
n Geological pick
n Small bottle of water
n Pocket-knife
n Standardised soil colour chart or colour disk
n Pen and feld notebook
n Ladder for descending into deep trial pits.
n Camera
The profling should be done using the format shown in Figure 7.7. Photo-
graphs of typical profles are sometimes desirable as they can be used to
recall specifc features at a later time. When all the trial holes have been
profled, their logs should be presented in a format similar to Figure 7.3 using
proposed symbols for soil profles (Jennings et al. 1973). The logs should
indicate the method of digging, whether the pit was dug to refusal on the
exploitable strata or on underlying material and whether the underlying strata
can be dug with a pickaxe. The proposed symbols indicating end-of-hole
(EoH) on refusal at the bottom of the trial pit are shown in Figure 7.4.
The trial pit logging should as much as possible
transparent the situation when the BP has been
The trial pit logging should as much as possible The trial pit logging should as much as possible
opened. Molepolole - Lephepe road.
transparent the situation when the BP has been transparent the situation when the BP has been
Roads Department
The information obtained during the trial pit profling should be assessed
in terms of:
n The lateral extent and uniformity of various strata and horizons.
n Thickness of layers in relation to required quantities.
n The thickness of overburden in relation to the thickness for the required
gravel strata. Ideally, this should be not less than 1:3 and the overbur-
den should preferably be less than 0.5 metres thick. In practice this is
not always achievable and the extent to which the ratio can be relaxed
depends on the availability of alternative construction materials, allow-
able haulage distance and whether the overburden has potential to be
used in road or detour construction.
n Engineering properties of the overburden and the gravel, e.g. propor-
tions of clay, sand, gravel and oversize material. If it is clear that these
properties do not meet the project requirements, the source can be re-
jected without sampling and testing and not considered further at this
stage.
n Anticipated practical problems pertaining to exploiting the material
from the pit.
If the assessment is positive then the layers should be sampled.
Figure 7.4. Example of trial pit logs.
Chapter 7
Roads Department
7.4 Sampling
The data obtained from trial pit logs should be used to subdivide the bor-
row pit into segments comprising materials of similar characteristics. At
least one sample should be taken from each different material unless they
are clearly unusable. When profling the pit, the following factors should
be taken into consideration:
Colour
The colour of the material may refect the gravel type, e.g. calcrete rich
gravels tend to be whitish while decomposed felsite in the same area
devoid of calcareous cement would be reddish brown. The colours should
be based on a standardised colour chart.
Soil type
The grain size proportion of the material determines the engineering
properties of the material and its behaviour within the pavement. The
material would have been described as boulders, gravel, sand, silt, clay
or some combination of these, e.g. clayey gravel with boulders, gravelly
sandy clay, etc. In addition, the prospectors knowledge of the local soil
types in terms of performance should be used.
Origin
Where the origin of the material can be clearly defned, especially in terms
of residual, transported or pedogenic materials, then it should be used to
refne the grouping further. This should include the parent material if pos-
sible. The degree of induration or development of pedogenic materials
should be noted, e.g. calcifed sand or nodular calcrete.
The quantity of samples required should be specifed by the project
engineer depending on the tests required. Where no specifc quantities are
specifed then the guidelines in the BRDM (1986) shall be followed.
The suitability of the overburden for use as road building material shall be
assessed. At least four samples for indicator tests and two for CBR tests,
depending on uniformity of the overburden, shall be obtained.
While sampling, care shall be taken to avoid contamination of different
strata. The following procedure should be followed (see Figure 7.4):
n Choose one section of the trial pit that contains a representative
profle of the material.
n Remove the topsoil (usually 0-200 mm thick) in order to create a
groove suitable to yield suffcient quantities of gravel.
n Clean the bottom of the trial pit.
n When sampling the overburden, place a sample bag (fat) at the
bottom of the pit. Using a shovel or pick, break the material along
the groove such that the material falls on top of the sample bag at
the bottom of the pit. Put the material into a clean bag and place it
outside the trial pit. The exercise should be repeated until suffcient
quantity of material has been collected. Make sure that the layer
being sampled is not contaminated by material accidentally falling in
or scooped up with the sample.
n To prepare the next stratum for sampling, clean the groove to the top
of the stratum to be sampled, also clean the bottom of the pit. Break
the material along the groove as above until suffcient quantity of the
material has been collected.
n Place another sample bag at the bottom of the pit and repeat iv above.
In order to appreciate the importance of taking
representative samples a simple calculation
will show that if the trial pits are spaced at 50
m intervals and the gravel is 1 m thick a 40kg
sample must represent 4,000,000 kg of gravel.
I.e. it is the ratio of 1,000,000; and a 4kg sample
will represent 1:1,000,000. The size of the
sample therefore has an important bearing
on representation. Theoretical analyses have
shown that a good indication of the correct mass
of sample needed for it to be representative can
be obtained from the fgure below. Certain
assumptions have been made arriving at this
relationship, but for laboratory analyses, at
least, the fgure should be applied in practice.
Diagram to estimate correct mass of sample
needed.
Diagram to estimate correct mass of sample Diagram to estimate correct mass of sample
Roads Department
The procedure should be repeated until all relevant strata are sampled.
When sampling a stratum ensure that the full thickness of the material is
collected. If necessary, collect a large sample and quarter it down to the
required sample size.
After each sample has been collected it must be labelled immediately.
Figure 7.5. Method of sampling from trial pit.
Figure 7.6. Correct method for reducing the size of a sample.
Chapter 7
Roads Department
7.5 Estimating material quantity
The quantity of material available for exploitation of a potential borrow area
must be estimated. The estimates are used for materials utilisation planning,
haulage cost estimates and overall project planning and construction costing.
Unforeseen diffculties such as deterioration of the quality of material or
the presence of water may arise and thus reduce the estimated quantities. It
is preferable to underestimate rather than overestimate and, if possible, to
select a site containing a greater volume of potential construction materials
than required, rather than one which is estimated to meet only the specifed
requirements.
There are various methods of estimating the volume of material in a
potential borrow area. The main objective, however, is to establish the
thickness over a portion or the entire borrow area. A simple, yet adequate
method is outlined below:
i) Divide the borrow area into segments with simple shapes - squares,
rectangles and triangles refer to Figure 7.7.
Dense, hard in situ material can be considered
to have approximately the same volume after
compaction. In contrast, a loose in situ material
intended for use in a well-compacted layer such
as road base may have a bulking factor as high
as 30%. This needs to be taken into account
when matching the quantity of material available
to the requirement
Figure 7.7. Subdividing a borrow area in order to calculate gravel quantities.
Roads Department
ii) Determine the total area of each segment and make adjustments for
obstacles such as big trees or vegetation that should be preserved, rock
outcrops, areas of unsuitable materials etc., to determine a useable area.
iii) Within each segment, determine the average thickness of the material
strata of interest (overburden or gravel) from trial pit profles or as
estimated with DCP, calcrete probe or auger.
iv) Determine the approximate volume of the material that the strata can
yield per segment by multiplying the average thickness (c) by the area
of each segment.
v) Add the volume of material from all segments.
vi) To account for compaction or bulking factor, waste during stockpiling,
transportation and construction, reduce the estimated quantities
according to the degree of induration of the in situ gravel in compari-
son with the expected densities after compaction.
vii) Consider whether all materials from the pit would be used. In particu-
lar, note oversize materials that are not likely to break during con
struction. However, the total volume of the material from the borrow
pit (including oversize) must be reported for transport cost-estimation
purposes unless such oversize can be removed at the borrow pit.
viii) Carefully study the trial pit logs and determine whether the thick-
nesses reported in the logs are based on refusal (i.e. whether the pit
was sampled to its full depth) or no refusal and whether the trial
pitting was machine or labourer based. For pits not sampled to full
depth the volume calculated could be considered to be conservative
while pits sampled to refusal could imply that no additional material
will be excavated, especially if a machine, such as tractor loading
backhoe, was used for trial pitting.
ix) While preparations are being made for digging, make a location plan
of the site in relation to roads, access tracks, old borrow pits, major
vegetation features, and any other landmarks or surface features that
make the site easy to fnd. (An example is given in Figure 7.8).
Open borrow pit, seen with a bird eye along
the Trans Kalahari road.
Open borrow pit, seen with a bird eye along Open borrow pit, seen with a bird eye along
Chapter 7
Roads Department
Typical borrow pit location plan.
Roads Department
7.5.1 Laboratory testing
Routine indicator and classifcation testing must be carried out before
submission of the prospecting report.
A wide range of tests have been devised to describe material and assess
its potential use in road construction. These tests are primarily to provide
information to assist in predicting the in-service performance of the
material and to compare materials from alternative sources. Not unlikely
the need for, and the importance of, taking samples carefully is the need to
follow the correct laboratory procedures to obtain results which portray the
true characteristics of the material.
Test methods are standardised and the technician will meet these standards
in his soil mechanics course. However as an introduction to laboratory
testing the technican needs to be made aware of the diffculties and
precautions needed for obtaining valid test results.
Determination of MDD/OMC in the main
Laboratory(CML).
Determination of MDD/OMC in the main Determination of MDD/OMC in the main
Laboratory testing, Liquid Limit (LL)
apparatus.
Chapter 8
Reporting
Roads Department
Reporting
8 REPORTING
8.1 Introduction
A site investigation report generally comprises two parts, namely:
n The factual or descriptive record part.
n The engineering interpretation and recommendation part.
The factual report should describe concisely and accurately the site, the
work carried out and the results obtained. The interpretation results detail
the analysis of feld and laboratory results together with recommendations
for usage.
The report must contain the essential information that the client needs to
exploit the gravel from borrow pits or that the contractors needs during
tendering. The numbering and layout of the report shall be in accordance
with The Materials and Research Division Report System (No. 1C 001).
This chapter is concerned primarily with the internal structure and contents
of the report.
8.2 Report structure
The following structure is recommended.
Introduction
n The background should include the name of the project, the client, the
prospecting division (company), date started and fnished and details
regarding the awarding of the project.
n The objectives of the project should be as detailed in the terms of
reference or the project brief.
n The scope of works. State what the project entails as given in the terms
of reference or the project brief.
Description of site
n Give a description of the site location with respect to districts, major
towns or villages and the specifc villages being connected by the road.
A general site location map is necessary.
n Give a description of the vegetation and terrain occurring along the road
corridor. Any apparent correlation between vegetation and terrain with
construction materials should be reported.
n Include a summary of local climatic indicators such as annual average
rainfall, temperature ranges as provided by Meteorological Department
records and the Weinert N-value.
n Describe the main land use patterns in the project area.
n Describe the general geology of the area and the associated weathering
products (natural gravels). The approximate boundaries of geological
units along the road corridor should be described. It may be desirable
to present this in a map.
Reporting
Reporting
Roads Department
Investigation methodology
n Describe the desk study, feld investigation and the method of site
investigation used.
Field investigation results
n As an introduction to the chapter, give a brief outline of how the chapter
is arranged and how the borrow pits are numbered. State the total number
of borrow pits investigated and state how many are reported upon.
n For each borrow pit, provide information on location, description and
quantity and quality of material as follows.
n Show the borrow pit location sketch and describe the area round the
borrow pit such as vegetation, watercourses, obstacles, areal extent, etc
(Figure 7.6). Describe features that are associated with good or poor
quality material within the borrow area and indicate how this compares
with the desk study recommendations. Attach the sketch plan made of
the trial pit layout (Figure 7.2).
n Summarise the trial pit logs and briefy describe the properties of the
materials. Show a detailed borrow pit plan including depths of material
horizons in each trial pit.
n State the quantities of overburden and selected materials found in this
borrow area. Discuss the implications of having dug the pits to refusal
or no refusal on the total quantities expected.
n Give a preliminary appraisal of the quality of construction materials
encountered and make recommendations on testing and any precautions
that may have to be taken when exploiting the borrow pit.
Conclusions and recommendations
n Summarise the information obtained from the desk study and feldwork
and state whether the objectives of the project as set out in the introduc-
tion have been met.
n Make an overall conclusion on quantities, quality and expected diffcul-
ties in exploiting the borrow pits. State whether the quantities found are
adequate for the project, whether the materials from the various borrow
pits are expected to meet the specifed properties, whether quality is
expected to be marginal, how they could be improved if necessary (e.g.
chemical stabilisation and/or mechanical stabilisation).
n Make recommendations on specialised laboratory testing taking into
consideration any treatment that could be required such as stabilisation.
Make a preliminary borrow pit utilisation plan.
Appendices
Trial pit logs, test results and location and geological maps should be
included as appendices.
8.3 Materials inventory
An inventory of materials should be maintained to enable the utilisation of
reserves to be monitored and the environment thereby to be protected. The
database should include data on source location and feld descriptions and
should be linked to the laboratory test data.
Materials data being enterred into the mate-
rials data inventory bank.
Materials data being enterred into the mate- Materials data being enterred into the mate-
Chapter 9
References
Roads Department
REFERENCES
Glossary
GLOSSARY
9 REFERENCES
1. Botswana Road Design Manual. 1986. Gaborone: Botswana Roads Department.
2. Standard Specifcation for Road and Bridges. 1983. Botswana Roads Department. Gaborone.
3. A compendium of Road Pavements in Botswana. Roads Department. Gaborone. Botswana 2000.
4. JENNINGS, J.E., Brink, A.B.A. and Williams, A.A.B. 1973. Revised guide to soil profling for civil
engineering purposes in southern Africa. The Civil Engineer in South Africa. January 1973. pp 3-12.
5. The Materials and Research Division Report System. 1998. Materials and Research Division. Report
IC 001. Institutional co-operation, Roads Department.
6. LAWRANCE, C. J. and T. Toole, 1984. The location, selection and use of calcrete for bituminous road
construction in Botswana. Crowthorne, UK: Transport Research Laboratory. (LR1122).
7. LAWRANCE, C. J., Byard, R.J. and Beaven, P.J. 1993. Terrain Evaluation Manual. Crowthorne, UK:
Transport Research Laboratory. (TRL State of the Art Review No. 7).
8. GEOLOGICAL MAP. Mallick, D. J., F. Habgood and A. C. Skinner. 1981. A geological interpretation of
Landsat imagery and air photography of Botswana. Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources Report no. 56.
Institute of Geological Sciences, UK. (HMSO). Includes a geological map of Botswana at 1:1 000 000 scale.
9. NETTERBERG, F. 1969. The geology and engineering properties of South African calcretes. PhD Thesis.
University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg.
10. NETTERBERG, F. 1996. Prospecting for pedocretes for use as road construction materials: a review.
Department of Transport, Pretoria.
11. NETTERBERG, F. 1978. Prospecting for Calcrete road materials in South and South West Africa. The
Civil Engineer in South Africa.
12. NETTERBERG, F and Overby, C. 1980. Rapid materials reconnaissance for a calcrete road in Botswana.
Seventh Regional Conference for Africa on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. Accra.
13. WEINERT, H. H., 1980. The natural road construction materials of southern Africa. Pretoria:
Academica.

14. Soil map of the Republic of Botswana. 1990.1: 1 000 000 scale. Soil Survey Section, Ministry of
Agriculture. Soil Mapping and Advisory Services Project, FAO/BOT/85/011.

15. Roads in Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana 1992.
References
REFERENCES
Chapter 10
Glossary
Roads Department
GLOSSARY
10 ABBREVIATIONS
BRDM................Botswana Road Design Manual
DCP....................Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
CBR ...................California Bearing Ratio
GM.....................Grading Modulus
GPS....................Global Positioning System
LL.......................Liquid Limit
MCCSSO...........Moisture, colour, consistency, soil structure, soil texture and origin
N.........................Weinert N-Value
PI ........................Plasticity Index
SAC....................Satellite Applications Centre
NORAD.............Norwegian Agency for Devlopment Cooperation
DFID..................Department for International Development
PHN ...................Public Highway Network
NPRA.................Norwegian Public Roads Administration
TRL....................Transport Research Laboratory
CSIR...................Counsil for Scientifc and Industrial Research
CPP.....................Civil and Planning Partnership
ACE....................Africon Consulting Engineers
Roads Department
Appendix 1
APPENDICES
11 APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 - OTHER RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS
APPENDIX 2 - WEATHERING AND WEATHERED MATERIALS
APPENDIX 3 - BOTANICAL INDICATOR SPECIES
APPENDIX 4 - VARIOUS LOGGING FORMS
- Trial pits layout form
- Trial pit logging form
Appendix 1
Roads Department
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 - Other relevant
organisations
Addresses of organisations offering advice, services and information:
Tel: Fax: Address:
n Department of Geological Survey, Botswana 330327 332013 Bag 14
E-mail: Geo @ Global.BW
n Department of Surveying and Mapping 302050 356015 Bag 0037
n University of Botswana, Department of
Environmental Science 3552527 585097
- Soils Division
- Remote Sensing Division
n University of Botswana, Depart of Biological
Science 3552601 585097
- Plant Science Botany Division
n University of Botswana, Department of Geology 3552529 585097

n Botswana College of Agriculture 3650100 328753 Bag0027
Web site: www.bca.bw
- Plant Science and Botany
Chapter 11
Appendix 2
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 2
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 2 - WEATHERING AND
WEATHERED MATERIALS
Weathering
Weathering is a general term referring to the breaking down of rocks into smaller particles. The process
can involve chemical or physical breakdown, often both. Weathering is a major factor controlling the
engineering properties of a rock.
Decomposition is the breakdown of a rock by chemical processes. It acts by the alteration of the
minerals making up the rock to new minerals, more stable but weaker.
Decomposition requires moisture for the reactions to take place, and is more active where the climate is
warm. Thus, decomposition is most prevalent in the wetter north of the country.
Disintegration is the physical fragmentation of rock into smaller pieces, without signifcant alteration of
the minerals inside.
Disintegration predominates in Botswana in the driest areas, where the daily temperature range is high.
Here heating and cooling of the rock surface results in the splitting off of minerals and rock fragments
from the rock surface.
Weathering typically results in an accumulation of natural gravel and soil. Natural gravels can usually
be ripped or excavated with normal road construction plant, i.e. small to medium bulldozers and
excavators, wheel loaders or backhoe loaders
For more information on the effect of rock weathering in potential road construction materials, refer to
Weinert (1980).
Weathering, transport, deposition and pedogenic processes give rise to the three main groups of
weathered materials - residual, transported and pedogenic.
Residual materials
Residual materials are those formed directly from the breakdown of rocks. The hard particles consist of
partially weathered rock fragments and the matrix consists of highly or completely weathered minerals.
The factors controlling the characteristics of residual gravels are:
i) Mineral composition of the parent material
Minerals such as plagioclase feldspar and dark minerals are susceptible to weathering. Orthoclase
feldspar and dark mica are less so. Quartz and white mica are highly resistant to weathering, and
remain intact after all the other minerals have weathered to soil.
ii) Degree of weathering
The rate of weathering of rocks is determined mainly by the annual rainfall and the ambient temperature.
In simple terms, the hotter and wetter the climate, the greater is the weathering action upon rock. A
moderate amount of weathering reduces small particles to an appropriate proportion of fne material,
while leaving larger fragments only slightly weathered and therefore harder.
iii) Degree of fracturing
Fracturing breaks up a rock, allowing weathering to take place along the fracture planes into the body
of the rock. The potential for gravel formation depends upon the spacing of the fractures. Unfractured
rocks such as sandstones rarely form gravels.
After complete weathering, most rocks are reduced to a fne residue of clays or sandy clays.
Appendix 2
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 2
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Transported gravels
Transported gravels are materials carried by water, wind, ice or gravity and re-deposited. The primary
transportation agents in Botswana are wind and water.
The characteristics of transported gravels depend upon many factors, such as the nature of the original
material, climate and distance of transportation, which can vary from a few tens of metres to thousands
of kilometres. In general, the effects of erosion and redeposition are twofold:
n Unstable minerals weather to stable forms. Transported gravels consist mainly of quartz, mica,
silt or clay, in any combination.
n The original constituents become separated into fractions of uniform grain size. An extreme example
is the case of desert sands, which tend to be single-sized.
Note that when a rock is partially weathered then rapidly transported and re-deposited, potentially
unstable minerals may be preserved. Arkose (sandstone containing feldspars) is one such rock.
The most obvious transported materials are the Kalahari sands, but the most useful transported
materials for road construction are the alluvial gravels carried by water and to a lesser extent the
colluvial gravels transported by gravity (particularly in the sand-free eastern areas). By the nature of
their formation, alluvial gravels are variable, comprising mixtures of the geological materials through
which the rivers carrying the gravels have eroded. The particle size gradation within alluvial gravels
is mostly a function of the size of the river (the faster its velocity, the larger the particles that can be
transported) but is also a function of the resistance to abrasion of the material being transported, and
the depositional environment.
Pedogenic gravels
Pedogenic gravels or pedocretes are those which have formed by the accumulation in the soil profle
of chemical constituents coming in from outside. The chemical environment is such that the deposit
becomes less soluble after precipitation and cannot be removed when inundated. It accumulates in the
soil as nodules, or vesicular or massive horizons. Compounds of calcium, iron and silica are the chief
substances accumulated in this way, giving rise respectively to calcrete (most commonly), ferricrete and
silcrete.
The quality of pedogenic gravels as engineering materials is determined by their inherent
characteristics, not by current environment or associations. Most have little or no relationship with
the rocks upon which they are found, and most formed under a different climate than today. Mapping
the distribution of pedogenic gravels is therefore more likely to be successful by the use of terrain
classifcation techniques than by attempting to predict them from current climatic and geological
conditions.
The quality of gravel is governed by:
n Hardness of particles, i.e. the hardness of concretionary nodules and of individual lumps after
extraction. The shape of these particles can also be important.
n Grading of extracted material.
n Composition and plasticity of the matrix.
Pedocretes dominate in the sandy areas of Botswana. By defnition, pedocretes should contain more
than 50 per cent of the cementing or replacing material. Where less than 50 per cent of the cementing or
replacing material exists, the material will be described as a calcifed, silicifed or ferruginised soil.
Calcretes form when drainage conditions are favourable - usually associated with ephemeral or
seasonal water courses or areas with shallow water tables in arid or semi-arid climates. A necessary
characteristic is seasonal fuctuation of precipitation resulting in downward leaching during the wet
season and upward capillary suction during the dry season.
Chapter 11
Appendix 2
Roads Department
APPENDICES
The genesis of silcretes is not as simple, with various theories being proposed. The precipitation of
dissolved silica from percolating groundwater is generally accepted but the reasons for precipitation
differ. Temperature changes and evaporation of ground water near the surface assist with precipitation
of shallow silcretes whilst those occurring at greater depths have probably resulted from pH changes in
the groundwater.
Ferricretes need at least a subhumid climate where chemical decomposition can release the necessary
iron from the parent rock. Ferricretes usually occur at gully-heads, hillslope-pediment junctions and on
pan side slopes and are associated with other areas of impeded drainage.
Origin of weathering products
The diagram in Figure A2.1 shows how the geomorphological agents of climate, parent material,
transportation and pedogenesis give rise to the main types of natural gravels occurring in Botswana.
Rock
Very dry equable
climate
Very dry climate with
large daily
temperature range
Semi-arid or
wet climate
Unweathered
rock
Talus fan
Unweathered rock
particles split off from
parent rock and lying at
base of slope
Weathered
rock and soil
Residual Transported
Residual soil Fine
Coarse
(sand, gravel
size)
Clays and silts
deposited
Water
Alluvial terraces,
river bars, fans
Wind
Gravity
Talus fans at
foot of slope
Pedogenesis
4
Mainly iron
compounds
Mainly calcium
compounds
Mainly silicon
compounds
Ferricrete
(laterite)
2,3 Silcrete
2,3
Calcrete
2,3
Notes
1. These also may be transported and redeposited by wind,
water or gravity
2. These may retain some of the components, and hence
properties, of the parent material
3. Pedocretes can themselves be residual or transported as
weathered rock
Prosess
Product
Possible continued
processing
KEY
Figure A2.1 Geomorphological processes and their products
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 3 - Guide to the identifcation of
botanical indicators
CONTENTS
Acacia feckii
Acacia mellifera
Acacia nebrownii
Acacia refciens
Catophractes alexandri
Combretum imberbe
Dichrostachys cinera
Eriocephalus ericoides
Grewia bicolour
Grewia fava
Grewia favescens
Maytenus senegalensis
Pechuel-loeschea leubnitziae
Tarchonanthus camphorates
Andropogon eucomus
Combretum apiculatum
Stoebe vulgaris
Acacia haematoxylon
Baphia massaiensis
Burkea africana
Terminalia sericea
Glossary
Acacia feckii Schinz
Blade thorn, Mokala/Mohahu
SA No 165
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Acacia feckii Schinz
Blade thorn, Mokala/Mohahu
SA No 165
Indicator of: Calcrete.
General: Shrub with many stems or a small tree with a fattened
crown.
Habitat: Dry areas, scrub, Kalahari sands.
Leaves: 8 to 16 pairs of pinnae, 9 to 30 pairs of leafets per pinna.
Flowers: Elongate yellow-white; fowering time midsummer.
Bark: Yellowish to grey, papery and faking.
Thorns: In pairs below the nodes, dark coloured, and broad based,
strongly recurved.
Fruit: Light brown, dehiscent.
Reference: Davidson and Jeppe, 1981; Coates-Palgrave, 1977,
Smit, 1999.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Acacia mellifera sub-species detinens (Vahl) Benth
Hook thorn, Mongana
SA No 176
General: Shrub or small tree up to 6 m high with spreading fat
crown, very thorny, forming dense thickets. Young
branches are greyish-brown to purplish-black.
Habitat: Dry thornveld, bushveld, Kalahari sands.
Leaves: 3 pairs of pinnae, 1 to 2 pairs of leafets per pinna, leafets
large, petiolar gland usually present.
Flowers: Elongate creamy-white sweet scented especially towards
evening; fowering time spring.
Bark: Red.
Thorns: In pairs below each node, blackish and, strongly recurved.
Fruit: Flat, papery, straw coloured to brown, dehiscent.
Smit, 1999.
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Burtt Davy
Water acacia, Orupunguya
SA No 177.1
General: Usually a shrub with slender stems but may be
a small tree.
Habitat: Low lying areas and along banks of dry watercourses.
Leaves: Usually a single pinna pair, 3 to 5 pairs of leafets per
pinna. Raised gland present at the base of the pinna pair.
Flowers: Globose golden-yellow, sweet-scented, solitary or in
groups. Flowering time September to October.
Bark: Reddish. Young branches yellowish with numerous
dark glands.
Thorns: Spinescent in pairs. Slender white, dark at tips.
Fruit: Light brown, slightly to strongly curved, dehiscent, numer
ous dark glands scattered over the surface.

Smit, 1999.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Acacia refciens Wawra
False umbrella thorn
SA No 181
General: Shrub or tree up to 6 m high with a spreading crown.
Habitat: Dry watercourses, scrubland and occasionally on
brackish soils.
Leaves: 1 to 4 pinnae pairs, 7 to 11 pairs of leafets per pinna;
petiolar gland if present near basal pinnae, small glands at
bases of pinnae sometimes present.
Flowers: Globose yellowish-white, usually grouped together;
involucel near base of peduncle. Flowering time late
summer.
Bark: Grey or brown to black, rough and fssured.
Thorns: Spinescent in pairs, short and recurved and occasionally a
few long straight greyish spines.
Fruit: Brown to reddish-brown, brittle, dehiscent, longitudinally
veined.
Reference: Davidson and Jeppe, 1981; Coates-Palgrave, 1977.
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
D. Don
Trumpet thorn
SA No 676.1
General: An erect spiny shrub or small tree, 1 to 3 m in height.
Habitat: Occurs in very arid country, often on limestone (calcrete)
ridges and outcrops, sometimes forming pure com-
munities.
Leaves: Opposite or fascicled along the stem; simple; oblong; 2 to
4 x 1 to 2.5 cm, covered with dense grey wooly hairs,
giving the whole plant a pale grey appearance.
Flowers: Showy, pure white, sometimes tinged with pink, with a
yellow throat; about 5 cm in diameter; axillary; solitary;
sweet smelling. Flowering time soon after rain, intermit-
tently throughout the year.
Bark: Shiny brown.
Thorns: Slender very sharp spines up to 5 cm long arising above
the leaves.
Fruit: Thickly woody elliptic capsule, 5 x 2.5 cm, rather fat-
tened, becoming grey and fnally dark brown when
mature; warty; fnally dehiscing along the fat faces to
release many papery winged seeds.
Reference: Coates-Palgrave, 1977, Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1977.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Combretum imberbe Wawra
Leadwood, Motswere
SA No 539
General: Occasionally a shrub, but usually a small to large tree 7
to 15 m in height.
Habitat: Occurs at medium to low altitudes, in mixed woodland,
often along rivers or dry watercourses, particularly on
alluvial soils.
Leaves: Small obovate to oval, 2.5 to 8 x 1 to 3 cm, very character Small obovate to oval, 2.5 to 8 x 1 to 3 cm, very character Small obovate to oval, 2.5 to 8 x 1 to 3 cm, very character
istically grey-green, giving the whole tree a greyish
appearance (except when heavy in fruit), often produced
on short spinescent lateral shoots, thinly textured to rather
leathery, without hairs, but with silvery, microscopic scales
densely covering both surfaces; apex broadly tapering;
margin entire, often wavy;, petiole 4 to 10 cm long.
Flowers: Cream to yellow, sweetly scented, in rather slender spikes,
4 to 8 cm long, in the axils of the leaves, or sometimes
forming a terminal head. Flowering time November to
March.
Bark: Dark grey to almost black and rough with characteristic
deep longitudinal furrows and irregular traverse cracks.
Thorns: Not present.
Fruit: 4-winged, about 1.5 x 1.5 cm, densely covered with silvery
scales, characteristically pale yellowish-green even when
mature, giving the tree a distinctive appearance, drying to
a light brown; sometime persisting into the next fowering
season. Fruiting time February to June or on to December.
Reference: Coates-Palgrave, 1977.
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Dichrostachys cinera (L) Wight and Arn
Sickle bush, Moselesele
SA No 190
General: A shrub or small acacia like tree 5 to 6 m in height.
Habitat: Grows on a variety of soils, more common at low altitudes.
It often forms secondary bush on impoverished ground.
Leaves: Compound paripinnate, with 4 to 13 pairs of pinnae, each
carrying up to 27 pairs of leafets; leafets narrowly obo-
vate to lanceolate, up to 10 x 3 mm, dark green rather
glossy above but dull below; glands are conspicuous on the
petiole and on the rachis.
Flowers: In axillary spikes, all foral parts in fves; stamens in 2
whorls of 5; the spike is clearly two coloured, half the
spike being formed by long, slender, pink, sterile stami-
nodes, and the other half formed by the fertile fowers-
this section forms a short, very compact yellow catkin;
the whole fower spike droops and hangs upside down on
the tree, so the pink section is seen above the yellow section.
The pink colour varies considerably from almost white
to mauve and bright pink, in different areas, between trees
in the same area, and even on the same tree. Flowering
time October to January.
Bark: Dark grey-brown, the stems often twisted and seamed and
the branches intertwined, giving a thick matted appearance.
Thorns: Dwarf lateral shoots are modifed to form short compact
spines.
Fruit: A cluster of pods each up to 10 x 1 cm, twisted and con-
torted, indehiscent, falling from the tree and rotting on the
ground. Fruiting time May to September.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Eriocephalus ericoides Druce
Snowbush, Lewisi
SA No 9320
General: Multi-stemmed woody shrub 0.5 to 1 m high.
Leaves: Dark green, 3 to 5 x 0.3 cm, covered in fne silvery hairs,
linear, twisted, apex tapering, base rounded; petiole very
short or not present.
Flowers: Small, red, inconspicuous. Flowering time June to July.
Bark:
Fruit: Ripe seed covered by soft white fuff.
Reference:
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Grewia bicolor Grewia bicolor Grewia bicolor Juss
False brandybush, Mogwana
SA No 458
General: Usually a many-stemmed shrub, occasionally a small tree
up to 7 m in height.
Habitat: Occurs most frequently in dry, deciduous woodland at low
altitudes, on sandy fats and rocky mountain slopes.
Leaves: Elliptic to elliptic-oblong or lanceolate, 1.5 to 7 x 1 to
3.5 cm, dark dull green above, almost silvery-white with
fne hairs below; the leaves are held horizontally or slightly
drooping; apex tapering to rounded; base broadly tapering
to rounded, asymmetric, or almost symmetric; margin
fnely toothed; petiole very short.
Flowers: Yellow, about 1.5 cm in diameter, axillary, often produced
in profusion. Flowering time October to January.
Bark: Dark grey, deeply fssured and peeling away in strips in
old specimens, grey to reddish-grey and smooth when young.
Fruit: Single or 2-lobed, each lobe about 6 mm in diameter,
reddish-brown when mature. Fruiting time March to June.
Reference: Coates-Palgrave, 1977, Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1977.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Grewia fava DC
Brandybush, Mortlwa
SA No 459.1
Habitat: Occurs in dry, deciduous woodland and bushveld.
General: A compact shrub or small tree up to 4 m in height.
Leaves: Elliptic or oblanceolate, 2 to 7 x 1 to 3 cm, greyish-green
and very fnely hairy above, more densely hairy and quite
markedly paler green below; net veining conspicuous;
apex rounded; base tapering; margin toothed; petiole up to
2 mm long.
Flowers: Yellow, about 1.5 cm in diameter, in short branched axil
lary heads; the sepals are yellow and contribute largely
towards the colour of the fowers. Flowering time October
to March.
Bark: Dark grey-brown.
Fruit: Almost spherical, usually 2-lobed, about 8 mm in dia-
meter. Red-brown when mature. Fruiting time December
to April.
Reference: Coates-Palgrave, 1977, Van Wyk and Malan, 1988
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Grewia favescens Juss
Donkeyberry, Mokgamphatha
SA No 459.2
General: A shrub with a tendency to scramble, or a small shruby
tree up to 5 m in height.
Habitat: Occurs at medium to low altitudes, in open woodland,
frequently on termite mounds, on rocky koppies, in river-
ine fringes and at the margins of forest patches.
Leaves: Oblanceolate to obovate, 4 to 12 x 2 to 9 cm; light green;
stellate hairs on both surfaces, but especially on the under
surface which is markedly rough to the touch; apex taper-
ing; base rounded to lobed, almost symmetric; margin
irregularly but markedly toothed; petiole up to 7 mm long,
hairy. Stipules up to 10 mm long, oblong, hairy but falling
early.
Flowers: Yellow, about 2 cm in diameter, sometimes fragrant, axil-
lary, usually in threes on short stalks, or peduncles, up to
1.5 cm long. Flowering time December to March.
Bark: Dark grey-brown with futed ridges; the trunk and larger
branches are square.
Fruit: Shallowly furrowed, 2-lobed, each lobe 8 to 14 mm in
diameter. Shiny yellowish-brown when mature, with
sparse long, white hairs. Fruiting time July to August.
Reference: Coates-Palgrave, 1977, Van Gogh and Anderson, 1988.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Maytenus senegalensis (Lam) Exell.
Confetti tree, Mothono
SA No 402
General: A shrub or small tree, usually 3 to 5 m in height, but
reaching 9 m on occasions.
Habitat: Occurs on a wide variety of habitats, particularly common
to open woodland, often on termite mounds, but found
also in riverine fringe thicket and at the margins of vleis.
Leaves: Alternate or fascicled, oblong to obovate, 2 to 12 x 4 to 6
cm, pale blue-green with a whitish or grey bloom, the peti-
ole and midrib frequently pink tinged, thick and leathery
in texture, veining not conspicuous; apex rounded, often
notched; base tapering, margin with shallow, rather
rounded teeth, or scalloped; petiole short.
Flowers: Cream, white or greenish-white, 4 to 6 mm in diameter,
in dense axillary clusters about 4 cm in diameter, often
sweetly scented, produced in profusion. Flowering time
May to June, but may be found from March to December.
Bark: Light grey, smooth.
Thorns: Rigid spines up to 4 cm long.
Fruit: A 2-lobed capsule, 2 to 6 mm in diameter, greenish with a
red fush when mature, occasionally becoming reddish-
brown; seeds with yellowish or pinkish arils. Fruiting
time October, but may occur from July to January.
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Kuntze
Bitterbush, Motlalemetsi/Mokudi
SA No
General: Pungently aromatic shrubby perennial up to 1.3 m high.
Leaves: Sessile or subsessile, up to 4.5 x 0.7 cm, very narrowly
elliptic to elliptic or very narrowly obovate-elliptic; apex
acute; base cuneate; margin entire; midrib prominent on
both sides, appressed grey-pubuscent on both sides.
Flowers: Capitula 1 to 3 in the axils of the leaves or at the ends of
the branchlets, 1 cm wide x 1.3 cm long, funnel shaped to
campanulate, sessile or on pubescent peduncles up to 3
mm long.
Bark: Older branches woody, glabrescent, younger densely glan
dular-pubescent, striate.
Fruit: None.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Tarchonanthus camphoratus L
Camphor bush, Mohatlha
SA No 733
General: A shrub or small tree up to 9 m in height.
Habitat: Occurs in a wide variety of habitats.
Leaves: Narrowly oblong to elliptic, 1.3 to 15 x 1 to 4 cm, leathery,
green to grey-green above, pale greyish-white and velvety
below; fne net veining is visible on both surfaces; glan-
dular; apex tapering to narrowly rounded; base tapering;
margin entire to fnely toothed; petiole 1 to 7 mm long.
Flowers: Thistle form, individual fowers creamy-white, grouped
into 3 to 5 fowered capitula, about 1 cm long, in ter-
minally leafed branched sprays up to 9 x 5 cm, more or
less covered with white woolly hairs. Flowering time
April to June but also sporadic throughout the year.
Bark: Brownish-grey, rough; all parts have a strong smell of
camphor.
Fruit: A small nutlet, covered with white woolly hairs, the heads
resembling balls of cotton wool, about 12 x 9 cm. Fruiting
time June to December, but also sporadic throughout the
year.
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Andropogon eucomus Nees
Snowfake grass
SA No
Indicator of: Ferricrete.
General: Perennial grass; densely tufted; 200 to 900 mm tall.
Habitat: Common occurrence in Fynbos, Savanna and Grassland
Biomes.
Leaves: Leaf blades 40 to 200 mm long; to 4 mm wide. Spikelets 2
to 3 mm long (all sessile, accompanied by a hairy empty
pedicel.
Flowers: Inforescence plumose, of 2 to 6 fowering branches;
racemes 2 to 5 per spathe, with white silky hairs twice as
long as the spikelets; lower glume of sessile spikelets
deeply and narrowly grooved. Flowering time November
to May.
Reference: Gibbs Russell et al, 1990, Van Wyk and Malan, 1988.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Combretum apiculatum Sonder
Red bushwillow, Mohudiri
SA No 532
General: A small to medium sized tree, 3 to 10 m in height, occa-
sionally bushy and shrub-like.
Habitat: Occurs at medium to low altitudes in dry open woodland.
Leaves: Opposite, narrowly to broadly obovate-elliptic, oblong or
broadly ovate, 3 to 13 x 1.5 to 8 cm, thinly leathery, young
leaves sticky and glutinous with a varnished shine, without
hairs or with dense to sparse hairs on both surfaces, some
times with rusty microscopic, transparent, thin-walled
scales present; apex abruptly attenuate, forming a slender
tip, often twisted; base rounded to slightly lobed; margin
entire, wavy; petiole up to 10 mm long.
Flowers: Yellow to creamy-green, heavily scented, in axillary
spikes up to 7 x 1.5 cm. Flowering time September to
February.
Bark: Grey to dark grey or brownish-grey, smooth becoming
scaly and rough with age.
Fruit: 4-winged, 2 to 3 x 1.5 to 2.5 cm, reddish-brown when
mature, with a satiny sheen and possibly soft hairs, at least
on the body. Fruiting time January to May.
Reference: Coates-Palgrave, 1977, Van Gogh and Anderson, 1988.
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Stoebe vulgaris Levyns
Bankrotbos
SA No
General: Intricately branched, grayish perennial shrublet approxi-
mately 1 m high. Branches slender and wiry with numer-
ous tufts of small, heath-like leaves.
Habitat: Widespread, occurs in grassland, proliferating in over Widespread, occurs in grassland, proliferating in over Widespread, occurs in grassland, proliferating in over
grazed areas.
Leaves: Linear, 4 x 0.5 mm. Upper surfaces covered with white
wooly hairs. Often pungent.
Flowers: Flower heads minute, surrounded by brownish-yellow
inner involucral bracts; arranged in large panicles. Flowers
inconspicuous, purple tipped. Characteristic globose galls
covered with white woolly hairs are usually present and
frequently mistaken for the fower heads. Flowering time
March to May.
Bark: Stems more or less woolly.
Fruit: None.
Reference: Van Wyk and Malan, 1988.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Acacia haematoxylon Willd.
Grey camel thorn, Mokholo
SA No 168.1
Indicator of: Deep sand.
General: A shrub or small tree up to 6 m high.
Habitat: Characteristic of desert and semi-desert areas, often occur-
ring on deep red sandy soils.
Leaves: Grey to grey-green, all parts densely covered with fne
grey hairs, each pinna superfcially resembling a single
leafet as leafets are extremely small and diffcult to
distinguish from each other; petiolar gland usually absent,
yellow glands present at bases of some lower and upper
pinnae pairs.
Flowers: Globose bright golden-yellow. Flowering time November
to February.
Bark: Grey-brown, branchlets often densely velvety grey.
Thorns: Spinescent in slender pairs.
Fruit: Densely velvety, grey with dark glands, curved, may be
constricted between the seeds, indehiscent.
Smit, 1999.
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Baphia massaiensis Taub.
Sand camwood,
SA No 223
General: Shrub to small tree, usually 2 to 4 m in height, but reach-
ing 6 m on occasions.
Habitat: Occurs on deep Kalahari sand.
Leaves: Simple, obovate, 4 to 9 x 9 to 5.5 cm, dull green above
and pale green below, with 6 to 10 conspicuous lateral
veins especially on the under surface, the leaf often being
folded inwards along the midrib; apex broadly tapering to
rounded and notched; base tapering; margin entire; petiole rounded rounded
with 2 distinct swellings.
Flowers: Attractive, white, in short sprays 5 to 8 cm long. Flower-
ing time October to January.
Bark: Dark brown to reddish-black and smooth; branchlets often
velvety.
Fruit: Long (up to 12 cm), narrow pod; hard, rather woody,
reddish-brown to dark shiny brown, splitting when mature.
Fruiting time April to May.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Burkea africana Hook
Red Syringa, Monato
SA No 197
General: A medium sized tree, 8 to 10 m in height.
Habitat: Occurs in various types of woodland over a wide range of
altitudes and habitats, but most characteristic of the hot,
low-lying areas.
Leaves: Crowded at the end of the branchlets; bipinnate with two
pairs of pinnae and 5 to 9 alternate leafets per pinna;
leafets elliptic, 3 to 6 x 1.5 to 3 cm, grey-green to dark
green, with silvery apressed hairs when very young, losing
these later; apex rounded and notched; base oblique;
margin entire.
Flowers: Creamy-white, about 5 mm in diameter, produced in long
graceful, pendulous spikes up to 24 cm long, crowded
near the end of the branchlets. Flowering time September
to November, often appearing before the leaves, giving the
tree a showy, shaggy white appearance.
Bark: Dark grey, rough and faking. Young shoots and tips to
young branches densely velvety and rusty-red to maroon.
This can extend along the leaf petioles.
Fruit: A thin, fat pod, about 8 x 2.5 cm, pale brown, indehiscent,
hanging in conspicuous clusters from the ends of the
branches. Fruiting time February to July, but remaining
on the tree for months, frequently until after the leaves
have fallen at the end of the season.
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Ex DC.
Silver terminalia, Mogonono
SA No 551
General: Small to medium sized well-shaped tree, usually 4 to 6 m
in height but occasionally reaching 10 m.
Habitat: Occurs in open woodland, frequently on sandy soils and
often at vlei margins, locally very common, even
dominant or co-dominant.
Leaves: Clustered towards the tips of the slender branchlets; nar Clustered towards the tips of the slender branchlets; nar Clustered towards the tips of the slender branchlets; nar
rowly obovate-elliptic, 5.5 to 12 x 1.5 to 4.5 cm, pale
green, covered with silvery silky hairs which give a char-
acteristic sheen, lateral veins obscure; apex broadly taper-
ing to rounded; base narrowly tapering; margin entire;
petiole up to 10 mm long.
Flowers: Small, cream to pale yellow, heavily and rather unpleas-
antly scented, in axillary spikes up to 7 cm long. Flower-
ing time September to January.
Bark: Dark grey or brownish and deeply vertically fssured; the
slender branchlets dark brown or purplish, peeling and
faking in rings and strips exposing light brown underbark;
young stems are often parasitised and, as a result, bear round
galls often up to 2 to 3 cm in diameter frequently with
leaves growing from them.
Fruit: 2.5 to 3.5 x 1.5 to 2.5 cm, pink to rose-red when mature,
drying to reddish-brown. Fruiting time January to May,
but they remain on the tree almost until the next fowering
season.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
GLOSSARY
(Source: Coates-Palgrave, 1977)
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Dehiscent: splitting to shed seeds.
Glabrous: without hairs.
Globose: spherical, rounded.
Glutinous: sticky.
Indehiscent: not splitting.
Inforescence: fower cluster.
Pubescent: covered with short downy hairs.
Spikelet: small spike in which the fowers are subtended by and enclosed in bracts; the unit of the grass
inforescence.
Spinescent: ending in a spine or in a very sharp hard point.
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
GLOSSARY SPECIFIC TO ACACIA SPECIES
(Source: Davidson and Jeppe, 1981)
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 4 - Various logging forms
4
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
4
Appendix 3
APPENDICES
Chapter 11
Appendix 3
Roads Department
APPENDICES
4

Construction Material Survey

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1 Methods and Procedures for Prospecting for Road Construction Materials

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